By: Max Wallace
Source: Wikimedia
Welcome to Georgia. We love Jesus, freedom and firearms, and anyone who possesses the gall to challenge a member of this sacred trinity is likely to be subjected to some choice terms, by far the most offensive of which is the epithet, “liberal.” It’s not often then, that the label “progressive” gets thrown our way. Sunday alcohol sales were only recently legalized, underwhelming is the nicest word to describe the state’s rate of progress on gay marriage, and it is a minor miracle that a state lottery was ever established. But despite the best efforts of the old guard, reform on issues such as these has largely become a matter not of “if”, but “when”. National public opinion has experienced an inexorable shift towards liberalization on these social concerns and Georgia is no exception, even if we’re just a little behind the curve. However, we’re making progress, and it seems that the next step in our journey to parity with our amoral northern brethren is medical marijuana.
Republican Representative Allen Peake is moving to introduce a bill that would allow medical marijuana to be legally administered in Georgia under certain circumstances. Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time the state legislature has attempted to recognize the medicinal benefits of the devil’s herb. Georgia first established a medical marijuana law in 1980, but the program has long lain dormant after a succession of governors failed to appoint members to the board established to oversee the law. The proposed legislation would allow patients suffering from seizures, as well those afflicted with cancer or glaucoma to be prescribed cannabis oil which would be taken orally. This comes at a time when 17 states permit the usage of marijuana for medicinal purposes, and Colorado and Washington have adopted a stance that is more popular on college campuses than in state legislatures.
But what exactly are the odds of this legislation actually passing? After all, when most members of the state legislature are self-professed God-fearing, freedom-loving, gun-toting, patriots, the best way to set yourself apart from the other guys is for you to be the most God-fearing, freedom-loving, gun-toting patriot in the room. However, there are signs that the legislature might be able to take a more objective stance when it comes to this debate. That’s because this debate was framed (correctly) as less of a partisan issue and more of a medical debate regarding treatments available to the state’s citizens. In fact, the impetus for this bill arose when Peake met with a Georgia family that was moving to Colorado so that their daughter could be effectively treated for her chronic seizures. Georgia politics may be slow to change, but there is no appeal more powerful than that of a family in plight. And although Governor Deal has declined to take a stance on this issue, preferring to let the debate pass through the legislature before passing judgment, the fact that he is open to considering the topic says a lot about the mindset of those under the gold dome.
The medical establishment has also displayed tentative support for such a measure. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which routinely treats children suffering from chronic seizures, contends that more research is needed before cannabis oil can be used as a general treatment for children. However, the hospital has stated that they would support such a law if the treatment were administered as part of a clinical study under state supervision.
The bill also presents certain electoral opportunities. A recent poll reported that 57 percent of Georgia voters support medical marijuana, and perhaps more importantly, the legislature could greatly benefit from having a hallmark achievement this year. Lawmakers are practically racing through the legislative session so that they can get home and fend off any challengers who might be after their seats. As a consequence, nobody is really expecting much to get done this year. This holds doubly true following the death of campus carry this past week, one of the few high profile topics on the agenda this year. A law legalizing marijuana would therefore not only help rank and file members of the legislature by giving them something substantial to present to their districts, but also provide a boost to the state’s chief executive. As Nathan Deal approaches both a primary and a far more concerning general election, he should recognize that this bill gives him a chance to broaden his appeal with the less conservative members of the electorate and create a point of discussion to contrast with the increasingly prevalent education debate.
This medical marijuana bill presents legislators a chance to benefit both themselves and the citizens of Georgia, and if the state allowed casinos, I’d bet that the medical marijuana will become law before the session is out. Is Georgia about to transform itself into Colorado? No, not anytime soon. Georgia still has quite a ways to go before it becomes as socially tolerant as some would like to see, but hey, baby steps. For the first time, taboo topics are being discussed openly and their merits weighed, and that’s what we call progress down South.
