ATLANTA —State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon) today released the following statement on the Georgia Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 185, legislation that would allow for medical cannabis oil clinical trials for children with medication-resistance epilepsy in Georgia and immunity for a limited group of children:
“I am grateful that my senate colleagues are showing compassion for those that are hurting who could benefit from medical cannabis by passing SB 185 today; I am also grateful that the Governor’s floor leader, Senator Butch Miller, will be carrying HB 1 in the Senate. However, I am hopeful that our chambers can reach an agreement on this issue and get a bill to the Governor as soon as possible. We must ultimately pass legislation this session that works to bring medical refugees home and offers protection for Georgians. SB 185 excludes thousands of our citizens who suffer from medical conditions beyond epilepsy and could benefit from cannabis oil, and the immunity language in the bill does not bring our medical refugees home. That remains my top priority and commitment.”
Rep. Peake’s medical cannabis legislation, House Bill 1, provides immunity for the possession of cannabis oil to individuals with certain medical conditions. HB 1’s list of qualifying conditions includes illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), among others.
HB 1 recently received support from the ALS Association of Georgia. The ALS Foundation joins the Epilepsy Foundation in supporting HB 1.
“The ALS Association strongly supports and advocates for people living with ALS and their right to choose drug therapies and/or treatments,” said Sarah Embro, Executive Director of the ALS Association. “The ALS Association, in our fight to defeat ALS, supports the provider-patient relationship in determining the best course of treatment for an ALS patient. Should medical marijuana be deemed useful in treating patients with ALS, the organization supports the provider’s ability to prescribe this treatment.”
Established in 1985, The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease on every front. Through global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, the association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.
HB 1 was passed by the House on February 25 by a vote of 158-2.
For more information on HB 1, please click here.
For more information on SB 185, please click here.
Representative Allen Peake represents the citizens of District 141, which includes portions of Bibb and Monroe counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and currently serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the House Majority Caucus, the Vice Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, and the Ex-Officio of the Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Health & Human Services, Rules, and Small Business Development committees. For comments or questions, you may contact Representative Peake at rmsceo61@gmail.com, or 404-656-5025.
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