Politics

Law Enforcement Raises Objections To Medical Cannabis Oil Bill

February 4th, 2015

A bill that would decriminalize the use of medical cannabis oil for some Georgians was the focus of a hearing before a state House committee Tuesday. The legislation would allow Georgians with 17 medical conditions like cancer, glaucoma and seizure disorders to legally use the oil.

The bill would limit the amount of THC, or the ingredient in marijuana that produces the high, to 5 percent for adults and 3 percent for children. Rep. Allen Peake assured committee members those who use the oil would not get high under those levels.

“If they wanted to take more of it, thinking they’re taking more of it, all they’re going to do is get a bad case of the runs…The people that want to get high are going to go to any street corner in any city in our state and find some weed. That’s what they’re going to smoke. They’re not going to be looking for cannabis oil. I can assure you that.”

But that was disputed by Frank Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Rotondo says the association is against the bill in its current form because it would legalize cannabis oil for adults.

“It’s contrary to the scientific evidence, it’s contrary to medical community and it’s contrary to federal law,” he says.

Rotondo also raised concerns about how law enforcement officers would test for “driving under the influence” by those using cannabis oil. He says association members are worried if Georgia passes a medical cannabis bill that extends to adults, the state will eventually follow in the footsteps of Colorado and legalize its use recreationally. But he stressed members are not opposed to decriminalizing the oil for children with seizure disorders.

Similar objections were raised by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association. The association has come out against the bill, but says it won’t actively work to oppose the legislation.

Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter and Chuck Spahos with the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia said they oppose the percentage of THC that would be legalized under the bill.

But several members of the committee say arguments about how the “sky is falling” if they pass a medical marijuana bill are unfounded. They say with a Republican-controlled legislature and Gov. Nathan Deal in office for the next four years it’s nearly impossible that Georgia would move in that direction anytime soon.

Members say the legislative fight on the bill isn’t likely to be over whether to legalize medical cannabis. Instead they say it will probably center on whether all 17 conditions listed in the bill should be included in the final version. They say there will also likely be debate on the percentages of THC that are in the current legislation.

Peake says the oil is needed to help those who suffer from chronic pain and to prevent more Georgia families from moving to other states to gain access to the oil.