The Georgia General Assembly passed a bill this week allowing medical marijuana sales.
House Bill 324, licenses private companies and universities to grow medical marijuana and allows pharmacies and possibly dispensaries to sell it to the state’s 8,400 registered medical marijuana patients.
The House overwhelmingly passed the bill 147-16, and the Senate passed it 34-20.
“Over the years, I’ve met with children who are battling chronic, debilitating diseases. I’ve heard from parents who are struggling with access and losing hope,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “This compromise legislation is carefully crafted to provide access to medical cannabis oil to those in need. This is simply the right thing to do.”
While it was in 2015 that the state legalized medical marijuana for patients that suffer from a list of conditions, the government didn’t provide any way for them to purchase it. It is against the law to buy, sell or transport medical marijuana oil.
Under Bill 324, up to six private companies would be licensed to grow and manufacture medical marijuana oil, two universities could start medical marijuana programs, and pharmacies would initially be able to sell the drug, and a state oversight board would have the authority to allow private dispensaries.
Smoking or eating marijuana will still not be allowed.
