ATLANTA --
A news conference and panel discussion on Medical Cannabis Day will be held inside the Georgia State Capitol tomorrow, April 19, 2019 starting at 8:00 am.
The events are a joint effort of legislators and stakeholders that have come together with one objective: to expand and unite the dialogue about legalizing the use of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes in the state of Georgia.
Organizers say it is the only 420 event -- and first of its kind -- in the U.S. to be taking place inside a state capitol building. The 2nd Annual Medical Cannabis Day will be bigger better and bolder with the addition of corporate sponsorship and American Kinetics LLC as the official media relations firm.
2018 confirmed organizations and speakers included: Peachtree NORML, American Kinetics LLC, Dr. Hodges, Bud Connoisseurs, Nicole Buffong of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, GreenRush Team with "Coach" Mike Harris, US Veteran & Policy Maker J'Lyn Furby, Sharon Ravert of Moms United To End The War Against Drugs, Sen. Curt Thompson, Sen. Harold Jones II, Rep. Billy Mitchell, and Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler. Organizing Georgia State students and members of Rev. Joseph Lowery's People Agenda are also expected to attend tomorrow's news conference and panel discussion.
"We want to change the dialogue and the stigma about the plant[cannabis]," claims "Coach" Mike Harris, an activist/lobbyist for the past several years. Having coached high school wrestling for 20 years, Harris took on creating GreenRush Team to begin efforts of unifying and including the diverse array of Georgia's legalization stakeholders, and to encourage a "team approach" versus the divisive, competitive approach he saw beginning to happen in Georgia.
"You go to other places around the country, they are networking in this industry. They're networking in Denver, in DC, in California. I wanted something like that to happen here in Georgia, where I'm from. Our goal in gathering inside the State Capitol tomorrow is to have a 'show of unity'. This is a trillion dollar industry and we want to ensure minorities do not get left out of this economic opportunity."
J'Lyn Furby, a Gulf War Era Veteran and Exercise Physiologist who has taken a stand for veterans' health and wellness through her policy-making efforts wants to see veterans have equal access to what she sees will be an inevitable policy change within the Veterans Administration -- and she is committed to getting the policy conversations rolling now rather than later. Furby is one of tomorrow's speakers and has been actively involved in organizing events to highlight the issue amongst the cornucopia of medical cannabis advocates, activists, and organizations.
"The Veterans Administration spends millions in prescription drugs for veterans," explains Furby, "many of whom are faced with serious vital organ damage from the extensive dosage of existing legal pharmaceuticals. Veterans deserve medical alternatives like cannabis with a proven track record of effectiveness. There's no reason we can't start having those conversations now in Georgia, so we can ensure all veterans have equal access to the kind of medical relief cannabis delivers."
Georgia state legislators will also be speaking on the various policy options and ramifications as well as answering questions at tomorrow's news conference and panel discussions. Several participating legislators were instrumental in convening the first statewide discussion on the legalization of medical cannabis in Georgia last year. Sen. Harold Jones II (District 22) introduced Senator Bill 105 in 2017 and that legislation changed the punishment and sentencing structure for the possession of marijuana. Sen. Curt Thompson (District 5) introduced SB614 this year to authorize the legalization and regulation of marijuana in the state of Georgia.
2019 Schedule
8:00am News Conference in the South Wing outside of Room #230
9:00am - 5:00 pm Panel Discussions & Symposium, Room #341
2018 Agenda
& Speakers
The State Of Medical Cannabis In Georgia
"Community Conversation" Panel Discussion
1st Panel: Medical Marijuana
Host -- Nicole A. Buffong
Dr.Rasean T.Hodge MD.
J'Lyn Furby, Exercise Physiologist, Policy Maker, US Veteran
Alexis Harris, Safe Access Provider
Stanley Atkins, Cannamedic, Retired Veteran
Erik-420 Art
2nd Panel: Industrial Hemp Panel
Host -- Coach Harris, State Lobbyist
David Schmitt, Hemp Ink
Demetria Shaw, CBD Provider
DD Hider Hemp Vibe Radio
3rd Panel: Decriminalization/Legalization/Minority Inclusion
Host-- Sharon Ravert, Moms United To End The War On Drugs
Ebony Knight, Peachtree NORML
Cass Odem -Political Strategist
Tom McCain, President of Peachtree NORML
4th Panel: GA State Legislators
Sen. Curt Thompson (District 5)
Sen. Harold Jones II, Democratic Whip (District 22)
Rep. Billy Mitchell (District 88)
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