Georgia Senate reduces maximum THC level in Medical Marijuana

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on February 22, 2017.

The Georgia Senate on Thursday passed a medical marijuana bill that would add “autism” for qualified conditions to the state’s list for medical marijuana, and reduce the amount of THC level, that’s allowed in marijuana oil in the state.

According to Senate Bill 16, sponsored by state Sen. Ben Watson, R-Savannah, people 18 and older diagnosed with autism could join the registry for medical marijuana. However Children under 18 years of age who have a diagnosis of autism would not be allowed to use marijuana oil unless a physician determines their condition are deemed severe.

The bill also reduces the amount of THC level from 5 to 3 percent in medical marijuana oil. And some senators wanted to roll it back to one percent. Many of the more than a dozen states that have low-THC programs only allow percentages of 1 or lower in medical marijuana oil.

THC, an active ingredient in marijuana, is the chemical that gives marijuana its psychotropic kick. It can also make marijuana oil effective at treating stubborn medical conditions, according to medical marijuana advocates.

"THC is an addictive drug “said Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick) during the floor debate. “Higher THC levels in marijuana oil could lead toward the liberalization of marijuana laws and making it available for recreational use."

Currently, Georgia law allows more than 1,200 people on registry to possess marijuana oil that’s up to 5 percent of THC.

On Thursday, Watson, who is also a medical doctor, too urged federal officials to reconsider the classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the most dangerous class of drugs with a high potential for abuse and addiction. “To say cannabidiol has no medicinal value is just not true,” he stated.

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