ATLANTA— State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon) today released the following statement at the conclusion of the first meeting of the Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Serious Medical Conditions Joint Study Committee:
“I am very pleased with the turnout and support we received at today’s meeting. It is imperative that we, as lawmakers, do everything within our means to study medical cannabis, so that we can help those families who are suffering from terminal illnesses here in Georgia find a solution – one that will not require them to travel outside of our state, thus becoming “medical refugees.” We have clear evidence that our legislature and Georgians desire legislation that would allow this treatment to be legal in our state, and we need to act now.
“Today we heard testimony from individuals who have firsthand experience with cannabis oil, and who have researched and made it their mission to advocate for this type of legislation. These testimonies provided an in-depth analysis of regulation and cultivation models that other states have successfully implemented, as well as a look at the legislative structures that various states have crafted. Today’s testimonies also supplied us with a wealth of information and research that supports the growing demand for medical cannabis in our state, as well as its effective use in other states. We have the unique opportunity to learn from the successes and failures that other states have experienced and use that information to create the best legislation that we can.
“Our goal is to use these meetings as a tool to learn more about medical cannabis from various aspects and perspectives, have meaningful discussion, and obtain enough information to create the best infrastructure for a future bill. I look forward to hearing more information from additional viewpoints on this topic as we go on the road for this series of meetings.”
The committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 10 at Mercer University in Macon. Additional meeting details will be forthcoming.
The Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Serious Medical Conditions Joint Study Committee was created by SR 981 following the 2014 legislative session. Committee members include: Sen. Renee Unterman (co-chair), Rep. Allen Peake (co-chair), Sen. Dean Burke (R – Bainbridge), Sen. Butch Miller (R – Gainesville), Sen. Curt Thompson (D – Tucker), Rep. Rich Golick (R – Smyrna), Rep. Micah Gravley (R – Douglasville), and Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D – Atlanta). Rep. Peake co-chairs this study committee, along with Senator Renee Unterman (R-Buford).
For more information on the Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Serious Medical Conditions Joint Study Committee, 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.
###