Medical marijuana, Medicaid bills likely up for vote Monday

Many controversial proposals - including one allowing limited access to medical marijuana and one prohibiting the governor from expanding access to Medicaid - are expected to be debated on the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives today.

The 30th day of the legislative session is likely to go late into the night. Today is Crossover Day. On this day, a bill has to pass the House or Senate to have a chance of becoming law during this session.

"The most controversial bills always hit on day 30," said State Representative David Stover, Republican-Palmetto.

The House Rules Committee decides which bills will be sent to the House for consideration, and the Speaker of the House then decides what bills to "call."

The Rules Committee has set a short, basic calendar, but will meet today to add more bills, and is likely to meet several times throughout the day.

The calendar was drafted last Wednesday. The House, however, wasn't in session last Thursday or Friday, but committees were meeting regarding bills not final on Wednesday.

most controversial bill

One of the most controversial bills likely to be debated today is House Bill 885, known as Haleigh's Hope Act.

It would allow limited use of cannabis-derived oil, which is low in THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, but high in cannibidiol, which has been used to reduce seizures in children in other states, notably Colorado.

The bill passed out of the House Health and Human Services. One setback of the bill was locating a source for the cannabis oil. Bill sponsor Allen Peake, Republican-Macon, added a provision allowing medical schools to grow, produce, and prescribe the product.

The bill is likely to make it to the House floor today, and, according to Stover, will make it through the House. "The bill has received widespread support, with approximately 80 co-signers, including Stover.

- AP