Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2015
Source: LaGrange Daily News (La Grange, GA)
Copyright: 2015 La Grange News
Contact:  http://www.lagrangenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5054
Author: Vince Sievert

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION SHOULD BE LEGALIZED

On Feb. 3, Hope United held a rally at the Liberty Plaza, Georgia 
State Capitol Building to raise awareness for the need of in-state 
cultivation of medical cannabis.

Currently there is a bill being discussed - HB1 - that will give 
immunity for possessing cannabis oil in Georgia if you meet one or 
more of the 16 medical conditions listed in this bill. Additionally, 
there cannot be any more than 5 percent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, 
the psychoactive component) - 3 percent for children under 18 - and 
must meet a minimum of 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD (cannadbidiol).

I have a very personal connection with this cause; my daughter, 
Miranda, was diagnosed with epilepsy with intractable complex partial 
seizures. Miranda is resistant to anti-seizure medications, so her 
seizures continued. We removed Miranda from school because she was 
not able to retain the information she was being taught, and because 
the stresses of school brought on frequent seizures.

After consulting with neurosurgeons, her mother and I were determined 
to find another option - to her doctors, brain surgery has become 
routine; to us, brain surgery should be avoided until there are no 
other options!

This search led us to medical cannabis. I was very skeptical at 
first, but seeing that it was working for some people, we had to give 
medical cannabis a chance.

Moving my wife and two daughters 1,400 miles away was built upon 
hope. Today I can tell you that our hope has been seen as reality! 
The frequency of Miranda's seizures continues to fall, even to the 
point of 17 days without a single seizure!

Miranda's improvements are remarkable; however, Miranda needs a 
specific ratio of cannabinoids in treating her seizures, the most 
basic representation of this is found in strains containing high 
levels of CBD, cannabidiol, and a small level - 4 percent to 5 
percent - of THC.

This level of THC cannot legally be shipped or brought from state to 
state, even with current hemp laws that are being formed. We are not 
alone in this dilemma; our family is just a representation of the 
many that need a similar ratio of cannabinoids.

Georgia needs in-state cultivation to make access to cannabis oil 
possible. Immunity alone DOES NOT serve Georgia families!

This rally would have been for nothing if we did not give a call for 
action - not an action from the people, we have done our part - an 
action from those who are sworn to serve us, more specifically Gov. Nathan Deal

Governor Deal:

Will you listen to the voice of the people of Georgia and allow 
access to cannabis oil, which has already brought relief to so many 
and answered their cry for help?

Will you continue to allow other states to provide the care for our 
families: Georgia families?

Are you going to watch as Georgia families wait another year for 
relief, suffering and even dying?

Immunity is not enough when it would grant refuge for those who are 
forced into civil disobedience of other states laws, the states who 
are currently helping Georgia families.

We ask you to listen to the cry of the thousands upon thousands of 
people who are depending upon you for relief.

We ask you to bring in-state cultivation of medical cannabis to 
Georgia this year.

Vince Sievert

LaGrange
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom