Medical Marijuana Discussion Returns

Athens, Ga | Nov. 17 

Story Highlights 

• The seeds of conversation over legalizing medical marijuana are being sown yet again.
• The proposed bill would legalize cannabid oils.
• When was the last time we saw a bill like this?
• What will it take to pass this bill?

Medical marijuana talk is back on the floor.

Law makers in Georgia’s General Assembly are reintroducing a bill to legalize medical marijuana. Legalization has been discussed at the capitol before, but failed late in the legislative process.

 “Regulation, regulation, regulation… the three R’s,” says Daniel Macris. He is CEO of Halcyon organics, a medical marijuana company based in Atlanta. He hopes the bill will pass this time so businesses like his can get licensed to grow and sell medical marijuana. “Regulation is what this industry needs…we need to take this stuff out of the black market where it is untaxed. We dont use guns we use lawyers like real businesses do,” Macris says.

 While companies like Halcyon are hopeful for legalization, Governor Deal, the man who needs to sign the bill to make it law, made clear during the election that he’s not in full support. “And I will work with the general assembly as I have done to make sure we have a good solid answer, but I am not going to be in a position of seeing Georgia become like Colorado,” says Deal.

If passed, Georgia could be one of the first southeastern states to legalize medical marijuana. 23 states and the District of Columbia have already legalized the substance for medical use.