1. HB-885 HALEIGHS HOPE ACT MEDICAL CANNABIS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA 2. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Marijuana has been federally banned in the US since 1934. Because it is considered a schedule 1 drug, many of its therapeutic and medical uses are not recognized. Clinical research says cannabis can treat glaucoma, chemotherapy induced nausea, and seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. Up to recently medical marijuana was only viewed as a natural alternative to traditional medicine. However, recent research shows that medical marijuana can treat seizures in children who are resistant to traditional medicine, in one case going from 300 seizures a day to one seizure per month. This is the population that HB-885 has essentially advocated for, because to them this is a potential life saving medicine. Because medical marijuana is not legal in Georgia, many families are opting out to move to other states, where such drug is available. 3. States with medical cannabis: 20 and Washington DC Percentage of Americans who think doctors should be allowed to prescribe cannabis: 86% Growth of cancer cases in the next 20 years: 45% Growth of glaucoma in the next 20 years: 56% Growth of seizure disorders in the next 10 years : 9.4% 4. STATE POLICY ANALYSIS Goals The bills seeks to provide medical cannabis to patients suffering from glaucoma, nausea from chemotherapy, and seizure disorders. It seeks to establish research. It is not meant to promote recreational use. Benefits/services Prescription of cannabis New research of cannabis Possibility to bring in money to Georgia Who benefits? Those suffering from glaucoma, nausea from chemotherapy, and seizure disorders Conflict on solution Conflict exist on how to get marijuana to Georgia. HB 885 was supported unanimously by legislators 5. LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Introduced to the House. Assigned to Health & Human services committee Amended to give medical research centers the ability to cultivate cannabis Moved to the Senate. Assigned to Health & Human services committee Amended to provide immunity to get drug out of state. Merged with SB 397. Went to the House. Died due to SB 397 being attached to it. The House attached HB 885 to SB 291 Went to the Senate where they refused to pass it without SB 397 attached 6. IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS Georgia Composite board Patient Review board Medical Research Centers (ex: Emory) Patients 7. COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS 8. PERSONAL REFLCTION & COLLABORATIVE ADVOCACY