Poll shows strong support for medical marijuana in Georgia
A solid majority of Republican voters in Georgia support the use of cannabis oil to treat medical conditions, according to a new poll.
The telephone survey of 511 respondents who identified themselves as likely Republican primary voters found 77 percent approval of legalizing the medical use of cannabis oil. Almost that many respondents – 71 percent – supported the controlled cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes.
“The data shows that Georgians are compassionate people who do not want to see sick people suffer needlessly when a safe and effective treatment is available,” said Georgia Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, who sponsored legislation the General Assembly passed two years ago that allows use of cannabis oil to treat certain medical conditions.
Peake said nearly 3,000 Georgians have registered to receive prescriptions for cannabis oil since his bill became law. But he said more could be done if lawmakers would take the next step and legalize in-state cultivation of medical marijuana.
“Georgia is behind the rest of the nation … because we have not updated our laws,” he said.
The poll, conducted by the Tarrance Group of Alexandria, Va., found the strongest support for use of cannabis oil among younger voters. Slightly more women than men approved using the drug for medical purposes, by 80 percent to 75 percent.
The poll had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.5 percent.
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