Reforming Our Marijuana Laws

On the wide spectrum of controversies in today’s headlines, the legalization of marijuana is one that may significantly affect the midterm elections. Despite the fact that, in recent years, states as a whole have become more accepting of marijuana’s health benefits, restrictive statutes, especially here in Georgia, remain in place. Given that marijuana legalization is such a politically divisive issue, there is no doubt that the midterm election results will decisively shape future policies in expansion.

Currently, Georgia has a study committee searching for ways to legally make CBD oil, but they have yet to offer any suggestions on how this could be properly maintained and controlled. A big hurdle in this ongoing process is that the committee will only consist of Republicans, since Rep. Allen Peake and I will no longer be in office after this year. Just a few months ago, Gov. Nathan Deal signed House Bill 65 into effect, which added PTSD and intractable pain to the list of conditions eligible for treatment by CBD oil. However, House Bill 645, which would have legalized the harvesting and distribution of CBD oil, did not pass. This is a major problem because the existing ordinance only addresses the possession of marijuana but does not touch on getting access to it. This leaves Georgia in a state of limbo, where possession of CBD oil can be legal, but it is still illegal to domestically produce it, or import it from other states. The state will need new advocates on the committee to effectively and efficiently expand the bill so that those in need can legally have access to medical marijuana.

Federal law has not yet legalized marijuana, and its jurisdiction will always trump the state law. However, every election brings the opportunity to expand the legalization of marijuana until it can be adopted federally. In fact, there are seven such measures across several states, such as Michigan and Missouri, on which voters can decide. Georgia’s ballot does not contain any laws on medical marijuana this time around. However, the newly elected candidates, especially the governor, will be pivotal in paving the way toward expansion.

Many skeptics feel that this trend is subverting the war on drugs and caution states looking to expand access to medical marijuana, including Governor Deal who once claimed the state would lose control of the crop if we started cultivating it. While this fear is somewhat understandable, there are undeniable health and economic benefits that will overall enhance Americans’ quality of life. For one, Michigan recently proposed an amendment that would incur a 4 percent tax on medical marijuana prescriptions that would directly go to medical services for veterans. PACs like New Approach Missouri are already on board with this initiative. New York has a program in which those who have been prescribed an opioid can substitute that dangerous and addictive drug for medical marijuana.

Marijuana is not simply just a commonly used recreational drug, but a valuable medical option that should be available for those who need it. This is an issue that affects all of us. We can all benefit economically from the increased revenue from medical marijuana. Expanding access to this treatment can be life-saving by keeping people off of dangerous and addictive opioids. It can help veterans with PTSD and intractable pain; it can help those with debilitating epilepsy; it can ease the agony of cancer. Those who need access to this treatment are counting on us to vote in politicians who favor its expansion. We know what we need to do: vote. Make sure to find out which candidates on your ballot favor medical marijuana expansion and vote for them. Early voting has already started and election day is Nov. 6th. Please remember to get out and vote so you can make your voice count.