Georgia medical marijuana advocates fuming over stalled PTSD bill
Published: Mar 19, 2018, 2:26 pm • Updated: Mar 19, 2018, 2:26 pm
By The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Georgia medical marijuana advocates are outraged over the apparent stalling of a proposal that would expand the state’s medical cannabis oil program to include those who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or chronic pain.
Advocates and lawmakers held a news conference inside the state Capitol on Monday and questioned why the bill, which passed the House overwhelmingly last month, has not received a Senate committee hearing.
Rep. David Clark, the bill’s sponsor, accused Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, a leading gubernatorial candidate and the president of the Senate, of “playing politics” and stifling the proposal.
Related stories
- Georgia medical marijuana advocate Rep. Allen Peake won’t run for re-election
- Georgia lawmakers expand medical cannabis conditions, but still haven’t legalized cultivation
- Georgia moves forward on reducing penalty for small amounts of marijuana, expanding medical cannabis
Clark, a Buford Republican, says those suffering from PTSD who have access to cannabis oil are less likely to turn to addictive opioid painkillers.
In a statement, Cagle said he has supported previous legislation that expanded cannabis oil access. He also says he wants a study committee to examine the issue.
Topics: chronic pain, Georgia, Georgia medical marijuana, medical marijuana, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
