ATLANTA — A bill to legalize cannabis oil to treat seizure disorders and seven other debilitating health problems passed a key committee in the Georgia House on Monday but faces an uphill battle in the state Senate, even in its latest, watered-down version.
Originally, the bill listed 17 conditions eligible for treatment with small amounts of cannabis oil, but that was whittled down to eight by its sponsor, Republican Rep. Allen Peake of Macon, who said it would have had no chance of passage in the House, much less the Senate.
“Still, we got eight diagnoses (in the bill) that will cover 500,000 people in the state,” said Peake after the measure was approved in a room in the Capitol packed with bill proponents. “It’s a very positive step in the right direction. This is a good thing for our citizens.”
Peake predicted the bill would pass the House Rules committee and the full House this week.
Earlier, he had discussed a bill allowing in-state growth of marijuana to manufacture the oil with low levels of THC — the chemical that can cause a “high” for some users — with Gov. Nathan Deal, who must sign any measure that passes both chambers.