ATLANTA — State Representative Katie Dempsey (R- Rome) was recently sworn in by Governor Nathan Deal as a member of the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis. Rep. Dempsey was appointed by Gov. Deal to serve on the commission, which was established by House Bill 1.
“I am honored to serve as a member of this commission, committed to delving into this issue that touches the lives of so many Georgians,” said Rep. Dempsey. “At our second hearing, we heard compelling testimonies from four manufacturers of medical cannabis, and I am eager to continue to learn more about in-state regulation processes at future hearings so that together we can make the most informed and educated recommendations to Governor Deal and continue to serve the best interests of all Georgians.”
Rep, Dempsey, along with other appointees to the commission, was sworn into the commission by the governor on August 27 at the State Capitol. Following the swearing in ceremony, the commission held its second meeting, which featured presentations from four manufacturers of medical cannabis from other states. These presenters discussed successes and failures of regulatory structures of in-state growth and distribution models of cannabis oil based on their experiences. Presenters included: Jason Cranford, founder of the Flowering Hope Foundation and creator of “Haleigh’s Hope,” and; Jake Bergman, CEO of Surterra Investments, a Georgia based Company providing cannabinoid health solutions; Robert H. Blake, III, President of Oregonians for Better Health, Inc.; and Mike Bragg, President of CBDPharms. Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, also provided an update on Georgia’s medical cannabis registry, and Dr. Yong Park with Georgia Regents University updated the commission on the clinical trials of Epidiolex at GRU.
The Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis is chaired by State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon), author of House Bill 1. Other members of the commission include: State Senator Renee Unterman (R-Buford); State Senator Butch Miller (R-Gainesville); Brian Rickman, Attorney; Dr. Cynthia Wetmore, Hematologist/Oncologist; Dr. Yong Park, Neurologist; Dr. Mark Murphy, Gastroenterologist; Sara “Mandy” Reece, Pharmacist; Stacey Cotton, Covington Police Chief; Gary Gulledge, Paulding County Sheriff:, Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald, Commissioner of Public Health; Vernon Keenan, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Rick Allen, Director of Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency; Gary Black, Commissioner of Agriculture; Dr. Susan House, Chair of Georgia Medical Composite Board; and Ryan Teague, Governor Deal’s Executive Counsel.
HB 1 was passed during the 2015 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Deal and created the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis. The commission is charged with making a recommendation for the potential regulatory infrastructure for creation of in-state growth/distribution model of medical cannabis. The commission must make its recommendation to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2015.
For more information on HB 1, please click here.
Representative Katie Dempsey represents the citizens of District 13, which includes portions of Floyd County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and currently serves as the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources. She also serves on the Rules, Economic Development and Tourism, Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications, Health and Human Services, and Higher Education committees.
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