AUGUSTA, GA — State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon), along with members of the Joint Study on Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Serious Medical Conditions, today toured the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, as well as the research labs at Georgia Regents University in Augusta. Following their tour, the committee held its fourth hearing at Georgia Regents University. Rep. Peake released the following comment following Wednesday’s events:
“We had such a unique opportunity today to tour the Children’s Hospital and its epilepsy monitoring unit, as well as the research labs here in Augusta. We heard first-hand from the doctors at the epilepsy unit, who told us what they are experiencing and hearing from the patients they treat at the facility. Not surprisingly, we heard that a vast number of the families who are admitted to the unit request medical cannabis to treat their seizure disorders. The epilepsy unit at the Children’s Hospital sees patients of all ages, and all spectrums of epilepsy, and these people are begging for this type of treatment in our state. Visiting the Children’s Hospital just further confirmed the need for action in this state.
“At the committee’s meeting today, we heard testimony from the medical community, those who are investigating the clinical trials of the Epidiolex drug, a neurologist from Colorado, and a botanist from Colorado. While I fully support, value and understand the importance of these studies, it is an extremely lengthy process with no guarantee that all of our Georgia families would all be able to benefit from it. While investigators are still trying to obtain FDA approval to host the Epidiolex trails in this state, children with seizure disorders are dying here. We have lost three children, just this year, whose families have been involved in the fight for medical cannabis. I applaud GRU’s work, but we also need to go down our own path, one that will provide a timely, safe and effective solution that is totally inclusive. By providing a two-track model, including clinical trials, as well as an additional state policy for administering medical cannabis, we will be able to make these drugs available to help all citizens of Georgia who are suffering. We have to think about the quality of life of all of our Georgia families, not just those we may be lucky enough to be selected to participate in the trials.”
The committee will hold its next and final meeting on Wednesday, December 3, at the Georgia State Capitol. 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.
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