Georgia Governor Signs "Haleigh's Hope Act" on CBD Oil for Kids

Governor Nathan Deal today signed a narrow medical marijuana bill that passed by big majorities in both houses of the state legislature.  It's a flawed bill, to be sure; the headline Georgia Shuffles Towards Marijuana Legalization is accurate, if not terribly tactful: 

    The bill takes effect immediately, and allows the possession of of up to 20 ounces of cannabis oil if a doctor signs off on the treatment.

    . . .

    While supporters trumpet the achievement, this is still a baby step in the right direction. Though patients can possess cannabis oil, there is no in-state infrastructure to sell the drug or cultivate it. Both are still illegal.

    Patients would have to have the drug shipped or travel to states where the drug is sold. Travelling across state lines and shipping the oil is still illegal in the eyes of federal government and a majority of states.

    . . .

    With the law comes the rush to get a system in place for marijuana permits. With zero infrastructure for doctors and patients to apply to use the drug, the system will have to be built from the ground up.

    Deal has pledged to have the system up and running in two months.

    . . .

    This is not Colorado or the medical legalization of California. The law is strict in what it treats for both children and adults.

    Only cannabis oil can be used, and eight disorders are eligible: cancer, Crohn’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, mitochondrial disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, seizure disorders and sickle cell disease.

    State clinical trials were also approved in the bill, which could lead to more diseases being added to the list, along with various strains of marijuana.

    The law does run afoul of federal law that prohibits the use of marijuana. It’s a tricky one for lawmakers to navigate, even though parents readily proclaim their willingness to break marijuana laws to help their children.

I know some legalization supporters aren't enthusiastic about this kinds of bills, which are usually too narrow to do a lot of good.  But it's significant when two Republican-dominated legislative chambers and a 72-year-old Republican governor signed any kind of medical marijuana bill.  And if even a handful of kids get some benefit, that's a net good.