While Georgians who need medical marijuana continue to suffer, Gov. Deal and Rep. Allen Peake are thumping their chests about the new “study group” they’ve created.
It’s all too clear that this is nothing more than political posturing. The fact is, Georgia’s new law does not help most of the children and adults who have seizure disorders, cancer, sickle cell anemia or countless other conditions that could be treated with cannabis oil.
Why?
Because it’s still ILLEGAL to cultivate marijuana in Georgia and against federal law to bring cannabis oil into the state. So, even if a patient successfully obtains a permit, there’s still no way to legally obtain the medicine they need in Georgia, unless they’re lucky enough to be one of a handful of patients selected for the study.
From the AJC: The biggest obstacle for those patients remains how they’ll obtain the oil. It’s illegal to cultivate marijuana in Georgia, which means families have to trek to Colorado and other states that have legalized the drug for medical purposes. That makes travel a tricky prospect, since most states, as well as the federal government, make possessing the drug a crime.
With the new law, Gov. Deal and Rep. Peake could have provided a way for Georgia residents to legally obtain the cannabis oil their doctors prescribe without being one of the few patients in the new study group. But they didn’t. And until they do, most patients are left with difficult choices.
But don’t take our word for it. Just take a look at where Peake directs patients who wish to obtain cannabis oil.
The first is from a company called Flowering Hope. The only problem with this route is that you’d have to travel to Colorado to pick it up. And crossing state lines with the oil could land you in serious legal trouble.
The second “option” is to order low-grade, extremely expensive “hemp oil” from another Colorado-based company called CW Botanicals. The company, which also sells a new line of skin cream, doesn’t require a prescription, a permit or anything. Anyone with an Internet connection and a valid credit card can order this stuff from their website.
Gov. Deal and Rep. Peake shouldn’t be claiming victory while Georgia families are still forced to violate federal law to obtain the medicine their children desperately need.
Rep. Peake is attempting to skirt the issue as he smiles for photo-ops, but when asked about this glaring problem with his legislation, he has no answers.
And when Peake insists that this is “a step in the right direction,” we have to disagree.
Deal and Peake’s ‘study groups’ — which are run by multi-million dollar international corporations — are simply a distraction. While Deal and Peake are posing for pictures, public debate on real medical marijuana reform is dying down.
As Georgia families continue to suffer, our so-called leaders are patting themselves on the back while doing too little for too few. And that’s just plain wrong.
It’s more important now than ever that Georgians know the truth about medical marijuana. If you’ve already signed the petition, please take a moment to share it by clicking here right now.