I-75 Georgia Southbound Exit 149 billboard.

In the last two weeks passengers who have traveled on I-75 Georgia Southbound Exit 149, were shocked to see a billboard that reads, “Now Legal in Georgia...YourCannabisOMS.com…We Have Edibles,” and sporting a large cannabis leaf above the “i” in the word cannabis. This fact is also confusing, because the state of Georgia does not allow marijuana for recreational use and edibles are not permitted for medical cannabis use in Georgia. Georgia has only legalized low-grade cannabis THC oil to patients who have one of eight qualifying medical conditions, although there are no regulations in place for how a patient should obtain the oil.

Late last year in Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal signed a measure into law allowing only legalized low-grade cannabis THC oil to patients who have one of eight qualifying medical conditions. Patients and guardians state the dosage is not high enough for some and say they still must travel to states where the product can be manufactured, at a high cost and risk of legal trouble while crossing state lines. Efforts this year in Georgia’s legislature body, a measure that would allow the full legalization of medical marijuana was placed on the House of Representative bill roster. Georgia State Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon) had introduced a medical marijuana bill, HB 722, in hopes that the state would allow higher levels of THC in cannabis oil and further help those who suffer from autism, Tourette’s syndrome, PTSD and HIV/AIDS, it also would include any terminal disease with a life expectancy of less than two years. Rep. Peake was also pushing for legal state cultivation of the plant, so that Georgians don’t have the across state lines to attain the cannabis THC oil.

When the medical marijuana bill was passed State’s House it was sent to the Senate, but in the senate the measure came under scrutiny by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Chairmen of the committee, Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Gwinnett), stated that families had come to her and expressed their concerns and that the bill in its current form be stopped. According to an Opinion Savvy poll, 80 percent of Georgia primary voters are in support of the bill and understand that it will create a registry in the Department of Public Health. That registry will only allow caregivers and patients who would be allowed to possess and use low THC cannabis oil.

Now, it’s time to beg the question “How can people in Georgia get edibles goods when they are not allowed.” Well that question is still unclear. I have personally visited YourCannabisOrders siteand try to understand how this process work, by emailing and calling the company. I sadly didn’t get any replies or call backs, but I learned that they operate in strict accordance with Health and Safety Code, 11362.5 and Attorney General Jerry Brown's guidelines for medical cannabis use and distribution. They stated that they are extremely careful to follow strict screening protocols for membership and delivery. Even, before being admitted as a member of YourCannabisOrders, patients must provide either a state-issued MMP (Medical Marijuana Program) card, or a valid Doctor's recommendation for medical marijuana use, verified by YourCannabisOrders. I will investigate these claims further and give an update of the situation.