ATLANTA— State Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to serve as a member of the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis. Created by House Bill 1, the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis is charged with making a recommendation for the potential creation of in-state growth/distribution model of medical cannabis.
“I am thankful to Governor Deal for appointing me to serve on this very important Commission,” said Rep. Dempsey. “As we saw during this year’s legislative session, medical cannabis is a very significant and key issue that affects many citizens of this state. I look forward to working with the other members of this commission as we delve even deeper into this issue. ”
The Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis will be chaired by State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon), author of House Bill 1, or the Haleigh’s Hope Act. Other appointees 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:, 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. David Retterbush, Chair of Georgia Medical Composite Board; and Ryan Teague, Governor Deal’s Executive Counsel.
HB 1, which was passed during the 2015 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Deal, creates the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis which will be 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.
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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