Gov. Deal Says He Would Support Immunity for Georgia Families Who Come Home with Cannabis Oil

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal says he would support a partial form of decriminalization of cannabis oil, which would allow families who have left Georgia for “greener pastures” in order to treat certain medical conditions to return home with the oil legally.

According to WSB-TV, Deal supports the granting of immunity to Georgia families who have left the state for states where cannabis oil is legal and then return home with the oil. Deal said that it was an important first step, and recognized that further loosening of regulations on medical marijuana in Georgia could be forthcoming.

Deal’s remarks show support for State Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon), who has proposed legislation that would allow Georgia families to acquire liquid cannabis oil which contains less than five percent THC in states like Colorado and bring it back home without fear of arrest or prosecution. Peake’s legislation adds a caveat that Georgians who return home with cannabis oil must have a loved one who suffers from a disease named on a yet-to-be-created list.

Peake also supports the legal growing of marijuana for medicinal purpose in Georgia, and originally submitted HB 1 with a provision to immediately legalize the process, but a modified version of HB 1 instead proposes the creation of a committee that would examine and determine the best way to regulate the growth of medical marijuana plants in the state, the Macon Telegraph says.

84 percent of 900 Georgians surveyed by the Atlanta Journal-Consitution say they support legalizing cannabis oil, WSB-TV said.