ATLANTA – State Representative Jeff Jones (R-Brunswick) recently spoke at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce 2017 Grits and Issues Membership Breakfast. The event was held to discuss legislative issues facing the state and country and took place on Friday, December 15, 2017, at the Epworth by the Sea conference and retreat center on St. Simons Island. Continue reading “Rep. Jones Speaks at Grits and Issues Breakfast”
EDITORIAL: JSTARS: Essential to Our National Defense
By State Representative Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), Chairman of the House Military Affairs Working Group
(851 words) Continue reading “EDITORIAL: JSTARS: Essential to Our National Defense”
Rep. Carson Announces Distracted Driving Poll Results
ATLANTA – State Representative John Carson (R- Marietta), Chairman of the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving, recently announced the results of a new poll, which shows that nearly two-thirds of Georgia voters favor a hands-free driving law in Georgia. A total of 66.4 percent of Georgia voters support such a law, and 21.9 percent of Georgians are undecided on the matter. Continue reading “Rep. Carson Announces Distracted Driving Poll Results”
Rep. Tanner Receives 2017 Georgia Transit Association President’s Award
ATLANTA – State Representative Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville), Chairman of the House Transportation Committee and of the House Commission on Transit Governance & Funding, recently received the 2017 Georgia Transit Association’s President’s Award: Transit Champion of the Year for his contribution to transit and work with the House Study Commission on Transit Funding and Governance. The Georgia Transit Association (GTA) presented Rep. Tanner with the award at the conclusion of the House Commission on Transit Governance & Funding meeting in Savannah on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2018. Continue reading “Rep. Tanner Receives 2017 Georgia Transit Association President’s Award”
Rep. Peake Announces Medical Cannabis Poll Results
ATLANTA – State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon) today announced the results of a new poll, which shows that 77 percent of Georgia Republican voters approve of the use of cannabis oil to treat medical conditions. Further, 71 percent of those polled favor the controlled cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes.
“The data shows that Georgians are compassionate people who do not want to see sick people suffer needlessly when a safe and effective treatment is available,” said Rep. Peake. “There are almost 3,000 Georgians who have registered for the Low THC Oil Registry, and more than 450 doctors who have signed up to register patients in Georgia. We know that cannabis oil is bringing relief to those who are in pain, and we must take the next step and provide for in-state cultivation for medicinal use as quickly as possible.”
In 2015, Rep. Peake sponsored Haleigh’s Hope Act, House Bill 1, which allows those with certain medical conditions to register with the Department of Public Health and, under a doctor’s supervision, use cannabis oil to relieve pain and alleviate symptoms associated with their illness. In 2017, Rep. Peake carried Senate Bill 16, which expanded the list of conditions that qualify for the regulated-use of cannabis oil in Georgia.
Rep. Peake explained that, under current state law, in-state cultivation of medical marijuana is still prohibited. He continued to say that it is a federal crime to transport cannabis oil across state lines, and families should not be faced with this risky choice for their loved ones.
“There are now 29 states that allow cultivation of marijuana within their own borders for medicinal purposes,” said Rep. Peake. “Georgia is behind the rest of the nation, and sick people are suffering needlessly because we have not updated our laws to allow for in-state cultivation of this product.”
The poll was conducted by the Tarrance Group of Alexandria, Virginia. From Nov. 27 – 29, 511 respondents who identified as likely Republican primary voters were surveyed by telephone. The margin of error for the poll is plus or minus 4.5 percent.
Specific question and cross-tab data is provided below.
Views on Medical Marijuana:
Do you approve or disapprove of the state allowing patients with a doctor’s approval and a state issued card to be able to use a form of medical marijuana oil to treat the symptoms of their diseases?
Strongly approve: 53% Strongly disapprove: 11%
| Approve | Unsure | Disapprove | |
| All | 77% | 5% | 18% |
| Men | 75% | 5% | 20% |
| Women | 80% | 4% | 16% |
| 18-44 | 84% | 5% | 11% |
| 45-64 | 86% | 3% | 11% |
| 65+ | 70% | 6% | 25% |
| Extremely conservative | 73% | 8% | 20% |
| Very conservative | 76% | 3% | 21% |
| Somewhat conservative | 82% | 3% | 14% |
| Moderate/liberal | 77% | 7% | 16% |
| Baptist | 74% | 7% | 19% |
| Catholic | 78% | 5% | 17% |
| Protestant | 76% | 1% | 22% |
| Born-again voter | 76% | 4% | 19% |
| Not Born-again voter | 83% | 4% | 13% |
Views on Cultivation Proposal:
Currently, this form of medical marijuana oil that patients rely on cannot be legally produced in Georgia or brought across state lines under federal law. Thinking about this issue, and a proposal to change this law –
Would you favor or oppose the state of Georgia allowing the cultivation of marijuana in the state for medical purposes only, in a regulated, restricted manner for certain medical conditions?
Strongly favor: 46% Strongly oppose: 16%
| Favor | Unsure | Oppose | |
| All | 71% | 5% | 24% |
| Men | 66% | 6% | 28% |
| Women | 76% | 4% | 20% |
| 18-44 | 84% | 7% | 9% |
| 45-64 | 78% | 2% | 20% |
| 65+ | 63% | 6% | 31% |
| Extremely conservative | 61% | 8% | 31% |
| Very conservative | 68% | 5% | 27% |
| Somewhat conservative | 80% | 3% | 16% |
| Moderate/liberal | 72% | 5% | 23% |
| Baptist | 69% | 6% | 25% |
| Catholic | 71% | — | 29% |
| Protestant | 68% | 4% | 29% |
| Born-again voter | 70% | 5% | 24% |
| Not Born-again voter | 75% | 4% | 20% |
| Medical marijuana – Approve | 87% | 3% | 10% |
| Medical marijuana – Unsure | 30% | 43% | 26% |
| Medical marijuana – Disapprove | 15% | 3% | 82% |
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 on the Appropriations, Health & Human Services, Rules, Small Business Development, and Ways & Means committees. For comments or questions, you may contact Representative Peake at rmsceo61@gmail.com.
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