State Lawmakers Start Conversation On Legalizing Medical Marijuana

ATLANTA — Inside the Capitol Tuesday, the Senate gave first reading to a bill that would create a study committee on the issue of legalizing medical marijuana in Georgia.

But outside of the building, dozens of people were pushing for even more reform, lined up on the steps to show their support for legalizing marijuana use in Georgia.

36-year–old John Palmour of Canton says he suffers from Behcet’s disease, an autoimmune disorder and currently buys marijuana on the black market.

“Without medicinal marijuana, basically I have to take three or four different steroids and several different pain medications, which come with severe side effects,” he said.

Palmour says he and other supporters on the Capitol steps are for all forms of marijuana reform, and want to help educate state lawmakers on the benefits on medical marijuana.

“Nobody wants to feel like a criminal. Nobody wants to hide in the shadows or be in the closet just because something allows them to function and with any sort of legislation opening the door to this potential here in Georgia is a wonderful thing.”

Palmour and others delivered a petition to Governor Nathan Deal’s office containing 15,000 signatures in support of marijuana reform.

But there is already some support inside the Capitol.

Senator Josh McKoon of Columbus is sponsoring a bill that would set up a medical marijuana study committee.

via State Lawmakers Start Conversation On Legalizing Medical Marijuana.