♪♪ >>> MOVING REALLY, REALLY QUICKLY.

AS I'VE TOLD YOU, WE'VE BEEN GETTING ALONG, WORKING REALLY WELL, HAND IN HAND WITH THE HOUSE AND OPB ON THE BUDGET.

BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK SO CLOSELY TOGETHER, OUR FRIENDS IN THE MINORITY PARTY HELPING US AS WELL, WE'RE ACTUALLY IN A POSITION TO AGREE WITH THE HOUSE'S AMENDMENT TO OUR SENATE SUBSTITUTE TO THEIR ORIGINAL BILL.

>> CHAIR BLAKE TILLERY ANNOUNCES GOOD NEWS ON THE MIDYEAR BUDGET.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

IT'S LEGISLATIVE DAY 16 AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WANTED TO GET A BIG LIFT OFF THEIR PLATES BEFORE A FOUR-DAY BREAK, THE AMENDED BUDGET.

WE'LL HAVE MORE IN OUR "CAPITOL" REPORT COMING UP.

>>> LEGISLATION TO HELP VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING MOVED FORWARD TODAY.

THE MOVES TO CHANGE ELECTION LAWS IN GEORGIA CONTINUE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT'S POSSIBLY ON THE WAY WITH OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING.

AND WE'LL ALSO GET AN UPDATE ON HEMP AND MARIJUANA FARMING IN GEORGIA.

IT'S NEW AND POPULAR.

>>> FIRST WE HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME AND CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

LAWMAKERS GAVE THE MIDYEAR BUDGET A BIG BOOST TODAY, DIDN'T THEY?

>> Reporter: HIP, HIP HOORAY.

THAT'S RIGHT, THE BALL IS IN GOVERNOR KEMP'S COURT.

@MENDED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 IS PICKING UP SPEED AND IS NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR HIS NOD OF APPROVAL OR HIS VETO.

EARLIER THE AMENDED BUDGET LEFT THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY AND WENT BACK TO THE SENATE.

>> WE'RE ACTUALLY IN A POSITION TO AGREE WITH THE HOUSE'S AMENDMENT TO OUR SENATE SUBSTITUTE TO THEIR ORIGINAL BILL AND AVOID A CONFERENCE IN THIS SITUATION.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE DID MAKE SEVEN MAJOR CHANGES.

HERE'S SOME OF THEM.

THE STATE EMPLOYEE PAID BONUS TO 57,000 WORKERS, ONE TIME, $1,000 BONUS.

AND THERE'S A CHANGE IN PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDS.

THEY WERE ADDED FOR EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT.

AND THERE IS A $500,000 FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS, A CHANGE IN MEDICAL CANNABIS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THAT OFF THE GROUND.

AND ONE OTHER CHANGE.

520 NEW SCHOOL BUSES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AS WELL.

AND BY THE WAY, LAWMAKERS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN CONSIDERING THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGET.

THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE MET TODAY.

GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP AND FIRST LADY MARTY KEMP'S HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION WAS PASSED FROM THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY.

THERE ARE TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

SENATOR CLINT DIXON TALKS ABOUT SB 33 FIRST.

>> I'M HONORED TO BRING THIS BILL, TO BRING THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND CARRY IT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT TOUCHES MY COUNTY AND MANY OF YOURS.

IT FIRST CREATES A NEW CODE SECTION TO PROVIDE FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, TO HAVE CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST PERPETRATORS.

SECOND, IT ALLOWS VICTIMS TO RECOVER DAMAGES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES.

THIRD, IT CREATES A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR FILING SUCH CIVIL ACTION AND ALLOWS FOR A STAY OF CIVIL LAWSUIT WHILE ANY CRIMINAL ACTION ARISING FROM AN INCIDENT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS PENDING.

>> Reporter: SENATE BILL 34 ALLOWS VICTIMS TO CHANGE THEIR NAME IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY AND SAFETY.

>> THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF THE FIRST LADY AND GOVERNOR'S BILL IN REGARDS TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THIS BILL ALLOWS FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO PETITION THE COURT FOR A NAME CHANGE TO REQUEST TO SEAL THEIR FILE.

IT ALSO ALLOWS THE COURT TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT OF PUBLICATION OF SAID NAME CHANGE IF THEY'RE DETERMINED TO BE A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

FINALLY, IT ALLOWS FOR THE COURT TO UNSEAL THE PETITION OR ORDER A REDACTION OF PETITION FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD LATER ON.

>> Reporter: SB-33 AND SB-34 PASSED UNOPPOSED IN THE SENATE 50-0.

TWO BILLS CAME OUT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY SUBCOMMITTEE EARLIER TODAY.

REPRESENTATIVE WES CANTRELL WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE NINE-WEEK RUNOFF ELECTION AND RETURN TO FOUR WEEKS, ALTHOUGH HE SAYS HE EXPERIENCED A NINE-WEEK RUNOFF ELECTION HIMSELF.

HE SAYS HE WANTS IT TO CHANGE, ADDING IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR VOTERS BECAUSE WITHIN FOUR WEEKS THEY ARE STILL FOCUSING ON THE GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS IS HOUSE BILL 59.

>> MY HEART IN ALL OF THIS IS FOR THE VOTER.

IT'S NOT FOR ME, IT'S NOT FOR ANYBODY ELSE, IT'S FOR THE VOTERS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST SICK AND TIRED, AND ULTIMATELY, I'D LOVE TO SEE US GET RID OF RUNOFFS ALTOGETHER, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE FOR ANOTHER DAY.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE HOUSTON GAINS PRESENTED HOUSE BILL 64 OUT OF THAT SAME COMMITTEE.

IT RELATES TO PRIMARIES AND GENERAL ELECTIONS AND HOW THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE SHOULD BE HANDLED.

>> SO WHAT THIS BILL SIMPLY SAYS IS IF A CANDIDATE IN A NONPARTISAN RACE PASSES AWAY BUT STILL RECEIVES THE REQUISITE VOTES TO BE ELECTED, THERE WOULD BE A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THAT SEAT.

SO THAT'S SIMPLY WHAT THE BILL DOES.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, D.C., GEORGIA SENATORS JON OSSOFF AND RIVER LAND RAPHAEL WARNOCK JOINED SENATE LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE $1.9 TRILLION PROPOSED COVID RELIEF PACKAGE.

THIS IS WHAT THEY SAY THE PACKAGE INCLUDES FOR GEORGIA.

>> SENATOR REVEREND WARNOCK AND I ARE HERE TO INFORM THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA THAT WE ARE WORKING TO ADVANCE THIS LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD DELIVER $8,200 IN ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RELIEF IN COMING MONTHS FOR AN AVERAGE WORKING FAMILY OF FOUR IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> MORE THAN $4 BILLION FOR GEORGIA'S K-12 SCHOOLS TO ENSURE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY AND ADDRESS LEARNING AND LOSS.

AND BILLIONS IN EQUITABLE FUNDING FOR OUR HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

>> Reporter: THE FEDERAL PACKAGE INCLUDES NEARLY $2 BILLION TO INCENTIVIZE GEORGIA TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

THAT IS MY "CAPITOL REPORT."

DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> AGRICULTURE CONTRIBUTES MORE THAN $73 BILLION ANNUALLY TO GEORGIA'S ECONOMY.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE UGA CENTER FOR AGRIBUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE NEWEST SECTORS OF FARMING IN GEORGIA INCLUDE HEMP AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BOTH INDUSTRIES IN THE REST OF THE SHOW.

JOINING ME ARE REPRESENTATIVE MANDY SHATHOMAS OF ATLANTA AND AJC HE'SY.

WELCOME, BOTH OF YOU.

MARK, YOU COVER ELECTION NEWS IN GEORGIA.

I WANT TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE DUGAN POSTED THIS TWEET THIS AFTERNOON.

WE'VE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED HOURS DOING RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT AROUND ELECTION INTEGRITY, I'VE GONE THROUGH THE ELECTION CODE FOR 50 STATES AND REVIEWED POLICIES AND PROCESSES AROUND THE U.S.

LOOKING FOR AN OMNIBUS BILL, ELECTIONS BILL, SPONSORING NEXT YEAR.

USED THE WORD OMNIBUS.

WE KNOW SENATE PRO TEM BUTCH MILLER RELEASED HIS ELECTIONS BILL, WE'VE SEEN OTHERS.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE DIFFERENT WITH WHAT LEADER DUGAN HAS?

>> WE'LL SEE.

THERE ARE SO MANY BILLS ALREADY.

AND SENATOR DUGAN, HE IS THE MAJORITY LEADER, HIS BILL MIGHT INCLUDE A LOT OF THOSE IDEAS AND PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER.

SO WE'VE HEARD IDEAS FOR CURTAILING NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING IN GEORGIA, CURRENTLY SINCE 2005 ANYBODY IN GEORGIA HAS BEEN ABLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE WITHOUT HAVING TO PROVIDE A REASON OR AN EXCUSE.

WE ALSO MIGHT SEE LIMITATIONS ON ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOXES WHICH WERE PRETTY WIDELY USED IN THE 2020 ELECTION CYCLE.

AND THE OTHER BIG THING THAT LEGISLATORS ARE PROPOSING IS SOME FORM OF I.D.

FOR ABSENTEE VOTING.

WHETHER THAT WILL BE PHOTO I.D.

OR A DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER OR A STATE I.D.

NUMBER, OR IF YOU DO IT WHEN YOU APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, OR WHEN YOU RETURN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT, ALL THOSE ARE GOING TO BE DEBATE YOU MENTIONED A FEW BUT WE WANT TO SHOW A TWEET THAT YOU HAD EARLIER TODAY, THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BILLS THAT WILL BE PRIORITIZED NEXT WEEK IN THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE.

ABSENTEE, I.D., NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING CREATE ELECTION ASSISTANCE OFFICER FOR STRUGGLING COUNTY, RESTRICT MOBILE PRECINCTS.

A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS, DO YOU THINK?

>> I DO THINK SO.

I THINK THE ONES THAT WILL GET THE MOST ATTENTION ARE THE ONES DEALING WITH ABSENTEE I.D.

AND THE ONES DEALING WITH SOME OF THE NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING.

WE SEE A VARIETY OF PROPOSALS ON HOW TO DO IT EXACTLY, BUT I THINK THOSE WILL GET THE MOST ATTENTION.

THE ONES THAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT NEXT WEEK WITH ABSENTEE I.D., THAT PROPOSAL IS FOR -- TO PROVIDE EITHER A PHOTOCOPY OF AN ABSENTEE -- OF AN I.D.

WHEN YOU APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT OR A STATE I.D.

NUMBER WHEN YOU APPLY.

I THINK THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DEBATE ABOUT IT.

ELECTIONS AR HOT TOPIC THIS YEAR.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LEADER DUGAN, HIS IS REPRESENTING THE SENATE CAUCUS, THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

DO YOU THINK IT WILL HAVE MORE WEIGHT, OR NO?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL.

I MEAN, WE HAVEN'T SEEP THE BILL YET.

WHAT SENATOR DUGAN HAS SAID IN THE PAST IS HE WANTS TO INCLUDE A LOT OF THESE IDEAS IN ONE VISION.

SO HE'S PRESENTING ONE BILL AND THEN OTHER SENATORS HAVE ALREADY PRESENTED DOZENS OF BILLS.

AND ULTIMATELY, IT'S THE MESSY BUSINESS OF LAWMAKING, WHERE WHO KNOWS WHICH VISION WILL MOVE FORWARD AND WHICH PIECES GET SHOVED INTO WHICH OTHER BILLS AND WHETHER BILLS WILL MOVE INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A PACKAGE.

BUT WITH SO MANY BILLS, I THINK THERE WILL BE A LOT OF DEBATE.

AND ULTIMATELY, WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL COME OUT OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE, ULTIMATELY BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE TO AGREE ON WHATEVER LEGISLATION THEY DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.

>> WE'VE ALREADY SEEN SOME COMPROMISE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF PUSHBACK TOO.

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, I'D LIKE YOUR OPINION ON WHAT YOU'RE SEEING, ALL THESE BILLS COMING OUT FROM THE REPUBLICANS.

>> YES, AND MORE COMING FROM THE SENATE SIDE.

I THINK WE'RE UP TO ABOUT 30 NOW.

30 BILLS COMING OUT.

30 BILLS THAT WE ARE SAYING HAVE A LOT OF SUPPRESSION IN IT.

SO ALL FOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT -- I'M ALL FOR ELECTION REFORM, BUT I'M NOT FOR THE SUPPRESSION.

I'M FOR THE ACCESSIBILITY.

AND I KNOW IT MAY SEEM MINUSCULE, BUT WHY ARE WE TAKING THE ACCESSIBILITY OUT OF THE BILLS?

WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE AT?

WE NEED TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AT QUICK TRIP, PURCHASING GAS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SHOPPING AT WALMART.

WHY AREN'T THESE THINGS BEING BROUGHT UP AS PLACES WHERE WE COULD POSSIBLY BE VOTING AT?

>> ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAS COME OUT AGAINST A LOT OF THESE BILLS, SO THERE'S A LOT TO COME.

WE'LL SEE A LOT NEXT WEEK WHEN THEY START BACK ON TUESDAY.

WE'LL HEAR MORE.

>> THAT.

LET'S START TALKING HEMP FARMING.

AS WITH ANYTHING NEW, THERE HAVE BEEN HURDLES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

WE DO KNOW FROM UGA'S AG BUSINESS COLLEGE, IT'S FORECASTED TO BECOME A $20 BILLION INDUSTRY IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.

MARK, YOU'VE COVERED HEMP FARMING LEGISLATION AS IT WENT THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

GIVE US A BIT OF HISTORY FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL OF THAT.

>> SURE.

SO IT TOOK SEVERAL YEARS OF EFFORTS TO -- BEFORE A BILL COULD GET PASSED.

AND A BILL DID PASS IN 2019.

AND NOW WHAT WE HAVE IS, WE HAVE FARMERS FARMING HEMP IN GEORGIA.

HEMP IS USED TO CREATE CBD OIL, AND CBD OIL IS PRETTY WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT UP UNTIL NOW, ALL OF THE CBD OIL THAT'S BEEN SOLD HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED AND GROWN FROM OTHER STATES.

NOW GEORGIA FARMERS CAN MAKE HEMP, AND GEORGIA PRODUCERS AND PROCESSORS CAN PACKAGE AND SELL IT.

SO IT'S BASICALLY BRINGING THIS INDUSTRY THAT'S ALREADY HERE IN GEORGIA INTO GEORGIA.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE CUSTOMERS, NOW WE'LL HAVE THE FARMERS AND THE PROCESSORS IN GEORGIA.

ALREADY THERE ARE 80 FARMERS LICENSED IN GEORGIA TO FARM HEMP.

AND SOME OF THEM ALREADY HAVE HEMP PLANTS IN THE GROUND.

HEMP IS A COUSIN OF CANNABIS.

BUT HEMP DOES NOT HAVE THE THC COMPONENT THAT COMES WITH CANNABIS, OR MARIJUANA.

HEMP HAS TO HAVE LESS THAN 0.3% THC CONTENT.

SOME OF IT HAS PRETTY MUCH ZERO THC.

SO IT DOES NOT COME WITH A HIGH, BUT PEOPLE USE IT TO EITHER SLEEP WELL OR EASE MINOR ACHES AND PAINS.

OTHER SYMPTOMS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S WHY IT'S NOT A PRESCRIPTION DRUG OR AN ILLEGAL DRUG.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN BUY IN STORES OR GAS STATIONS.

>> AND WE'RE SEEING IT EVERYWHERE, WE REALLY ARE.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK MORE ABOUT MARIJUANA NEXT SEGMENT AND GET INTO THE SPECIFICS AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

BUT WITH HEMP HARMING, CAUSED A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> YOU'LL HEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SHERIFFS, PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, COMPLAIN THAT THEY CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT IS LEGAL HEMP, OR CBD OIL, AND ILLEGAL MARIJUANA IN GEORGIA.

BECAUSE THEY LOOK THE SAME IN THEIR LEAFY FORM.

ALTHOUGH IF YOU'RE CARRYING AROUND CBD OIL THAT'S BEEN PROCESSED AND YOU BOUGHT IN A STORE, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

BUT IF A POLICE OFFICER PULLS YOU OVER AND THEY SEE A GREEN, LEAFY SUBSTANCE, THEY MIGHT BE SUSPICIOUS.

AND THE RESULT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE, WHAT JURISDICTION YOU'RE IN.

IN A LOT OF METRO ATLANTA AND OTHER CITIES IN GEORGIA, IF YOU HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF A GREEN, LEAFY SUBSTANCE AND THE OFFICER DOESN'T KNOW, YOU MIGHT BE ASKED -- A LOT OF CITIES HAVE MADE MARIJUANA A VERY LOW-LEVEL OFFENSE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE.

BUT REALLY, IF IT IS CBD OIL, IT ISN'T GOING TO LOOK LIKE MARIJUANA.

AND LAST YEAR THEY PASSED A LAW IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT REQUIRED THERE TO BE DOCUMENTATION IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING THE PLANT.

>> THAT WAS LAST SUMMER, WASN'T IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHEN THEY FOUND THIS LOOPHOLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO POLICE STILL DO HAVE CONCERNS THAT THEY CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT'S LEGAL AND WHAT'S NOT.

BUT IN REALITY, I DON'T KNOW HOW OFTEN THAT REALLY COMES INTO PLAY, BECAUSE IF YOU DO SEE SOMETHING IN A VEHICLE THAT LOOKS LIKE MARIJUANA, A POLICE OFFICER WILL OFTEN PROCEED AS IF IT'S MARIJUANA.

AND EITHER -- IF YOU'RE IN A JURISDICTION THAT DOESN'T PUNISH IT HEAVILY, JUST GIVE YOU A FINE, OR IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, IT MIGHT BE MORE SEVERE.

AND THAT DISTINCTION WOULD ONLY COME UP IF THE CASE WENT TO COURT AND A LAWYER WERE TO ARGUE, HEY, ACTUALLY, IT WASN'T MARIJUANA, IT WAS HEMP.

THEN YOU'D HAVE TO TEST IT FOR ITS THC CONTENT AND GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

>> MAKES IT INTERESTING, IT CERTAINLY DOES.

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS, ADULTS ARE CERTAINLY JUMPING AT THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

YOU HAVE A BILL REQUIRING AGRICULTURE TO BE TIED IN ALL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND IT WOULD INCLUDE HEMP FARMING IF POSSIBLE.

TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THAT.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT?

LIKE A REQUIREMENT?

>> OH, I DEFINITELY THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT.

I KNOW THERE IS SOME PUSHBACK FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE, BUT I'M DEFINITELY EXCITED ABOUT HEMP.

I'M DEFINITELY EXCITED BECAUSE IT'S AN ECONOMIC ENGINE ITSELF AND IT'S OPENING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

MY ONLY CONCERN IS SOME OF THE SMALLER PEOPLE GETTING CERTIFIED THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT THAT THE BIGGER CONGLOMERATES ARE ABLE TO DO THAT VERSUS THE SMALLER.

THAT'S THE PART I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK AT.

YES, I AM INTRODUCING AGRICULTURE CURRICULUM ACROSS THE TECHNICAL SCHOOLS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

I MEAN, GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IS AGRICULTURE.

AND IN MY DISTRICT, WE'RE SITTING IN A FOOD DESERT.

WHY?

WE HAVE ALL THIS UNDEVELOPED LAND.

SO LET'S PUSH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AND TRAIN OUR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY, UP TO $50,000 TO $124,000.

THEY HAVE A GAMING BILL OUT THAT'S BEEN DANCING AROUND SINCE 2016, AND IT'S BECOME VERY ATTRACTIVE TO LEGISLATORS BECAUSE THEY'RE ESSENTIALLY SAYING, YOU CAN BE MAKING $50,000 COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

SO I'M TRUMPING THAT BY BRINGING SOMETHING THAT CAN ACTUALLY PUSH OUR STATE, WHICH IS AGRICULTURE, ACTUALLY PROVIDE SMART GROWTH, AND GIVE THEM THE INCOME OF DOUBLE WHAT THEY'RE SAYING YOU CAN GET FROM GAMING.

>> AND YOU'VE ALREADY FOUND SOME INTEREST IN THIS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, STUDENTS WHO ARE LOOKING INTO AGRICULTURE AT HIGH SCHOOL, GOING INTO TECHNICAL SCHOOL?

>> DEFINITELY.

I'M WORKING WITH CREEK SIDE HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M GOING TO VISIT BEAR CREEK THIS FRIDAY.

I HAVE ATLANTA METRO TECHNICAL COLLEGE WORKING WITH ME THAT WANTS TO CREATE A CURRICULUM AND INTRODUCE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE.

I'M WORKING WITH THE CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY.

AND GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE, WHO IS GETTING READY TO START AN AGRIBUSINESS DEGREE THIS FALL.

>> OKAY.

WELL, BEFORE WE LEAVE THIS SUBJECT, MARK, I HAVE TO ASK YOU, THAT THE AMENDED BUDGET PROVIDES ABOUT $500,000 FOR HEMP.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT MONEY IS GOING TO GO FOR.

>> SURE.

I ASKED THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ABOUT THIS TODAY.

THEY SAY THEY NEED MORE MONEY TO RUN THE PROGRAM.

80 FARMERS SO FAR ALREADY LICENSED, MORE TO COME.

FARMERS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TO START A NEW CROP?

BUT THOSE CROPS NEED TO BE INSPECTED AND THEY NEED TO BE MADE SURE THAT THEY DO HAVE LITTLE OR NO THC, AND THEY NEED TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY, THEY NEED TO HAVE EQUIPMENT, THEY NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE IN THE FIELD, THEY NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE DOING LICENSING.

SO THAT'S WHAT THAT MONEY WILL GO TOWARD.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO HANDLE THE INTEREST RIGHT NOW.

>> AND THEN THERE'S THE BILL THAT LOOKS AT MAKING SURE WE COME UNDER WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRING WHEN IT COMES TO HEMP.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS PASSED RULES GOVERNING THE STATES, AND STATES HAVE TO PASS BILLS AND LAWS TO COMPLY WITH THOSE.

SO WE SEE A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE THAT WILL MAKE SOME OF THOSE ADJUSTMENTS.

I'VE READ IT.

IT SEEMS VERY MINOR.

NOT MUCH DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW.

BASELINE IT COSTS $50 PER ACHE TORE FARM MARIJUANA IN GEORGIA, AND THERE ARE A BUNCH OF OTHER LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

>> WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT MARIJUANA IN A MOMENT.

HB-336 FOR PEOPLE WHO REALLY ARE WANTING TO KNOW THAT INFORMATION.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

WE APPRECIATE YOU.

WE WANT YOU TO COME BACK AND TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO STICK WITH US, MARK.

>>> AFTER THE BREAK, WE'LL LOOK AT THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY WITH MARK AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHELLEY HUTCHINSON.

THIS IS "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>> "LAWMAKERS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

WITH OVER 80 YEARS OF HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND AGRICULTURAL IN OUR STATE.

AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAMWORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL, DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH FROM DISCUSSING HEMP FARMING IN GEORGIA TO DISCUSSING MARIJUANA FARMING.

THE AJC's MARK NIECY CONTINUES WITH US AND JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE SHELLEY HUTCHINSON, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BOTH MARIJUANA AND HEMP ARE ON THE TOPICS IN GEORGIA, BUT FIRST DISTINCTIONS.

WE DISCUSSED IT A LITTLE BIT.

HEMP AND MARIJUANA ARE IDENTICAL IN APPEARANCE, THEY'RE BOTH CANNABIS PLANTS.

THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE LEVEL OF THC PRESENT IN THE CANNABIS PLANT.

TETRAHYDROCANNABENOL.

IT'S LEGAL IN GEORGIA TO PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE LOW-LEVELS OF OIL.

THE GEORGIA ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION OVERSEES THE LICENSING, CULTIVATION, PRODUCTION, MANUFACTURING, AND SALE OF LOW-THC OIL.

NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THAT OUT OF THE WAY, REPRESENTATIVE HUTCHISON, YOU JUST LEFT SIGNING SOMETHING THAT DEALS WITH A LOOPHOLE THAT WAS IN THE LAW DEALING WITH THC AND THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, SO TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> CHAIRMAN MARK NEWTON SPONSORED THIS BILL.

APPARENTLY WHEN WE DID THE LEGISLATION LAST YEAR, WE DIDN'T LEAVE A PROVISION FOR ALLOWING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO RELEASE THEIR FINDINGS, THE DATA THEY'RE COLLECTING.

NOT EVEN TO US.

SO THIS WOULD CLOSE THAT LOOPHOLE.

WE'D BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE STATISTICS TO SEE IF IT'S WORKING, IF IT'S NOT WORKING, IF IT'S MADE ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN USING IT OVER THE LAST YEAR.

>> JUST COLLECTING DATA IS A BIG PART OF ALL OF THIS.

WHAT ISSUES HAVE YOU SEEN, MARK IN TERMS OF THE DIFFERENCES WHEN IT COMES TO THE MARIJUANA ASPECT OF ALL OF THIS?

>> WELL, LOW-THC OIL, AS IT'S KNOWN, IS FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE ONE OF A SET OF ILLNESSES THAT THEY HAVE TO GET A DOCTOR TO SIGN OFF ON.

AND WE'VE HAD A LOW-THC LAW IN GEORGIA, I BELIEVE IT FIRST PASSED IN 2015.

BUT STILL, THE PROBLEM IS THAT PATIENTS HAVE NOWHERE TO BUY THIS DRUG THAT IS NOW LEGAL.

IF YOU ARE A PATIENT WITH A SEVERE CONDITION.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT THIS MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION IS DOING.

THEY'RE SETTING UP THIS PROCESS TO HAVE LICENSED PROCESSORS WHO CAN MAKE THIS LOW-THC OIL AND DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE 14,000 PLUS LICENSED PATIENTS IN GEORGIA, WHO SO FAR HAVE BEEN GETTING IT UNDERGROUND, BASICALLY.

>> 14,000 PATIENTS.

AS YOU SAID, THERE'S A LIST OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS.

ACTUALLY, THERE'S A BILL THIS YEAR TO ADD COLITIS TO THAT LIST OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

REPRESENTATIVE HUTCHISON, I KNOW THAT YOU'RE INVOLVED IN -- YOU'RE A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER.

>> I AM.

>> AND YOU HAVE SEEN THE DIFFERENCE IT'S MADE IN YOUR PATIENTS.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN MY PATIENTS.

WELL, MY CLIENTS NORMALLY HAVE A LOW LEVEL OF ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION, AND CERTAINLY SOME TYPE OF THC-BASED SUBSTANCE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE MULTITUDE OF MEDICATIONS THAT A LOT OF OUR KIDS ARE ON THESE DAYS.

SOMETIMES IF A CHILD HAS ANXIETY, THEY CAN BE ON A MEDICATION FOR THE ANXIETY, THEN A MEDICATION TO PUT THEM TO SLEEP BECAUSE THAT ANXIETY MEDICINE MADE THEM UNABLE TO SLEEP.

SO IF WE CAN CUT SOME OF THAT DOWN, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

>> ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE KNOW THAT HAPPENED IS THAT THERE ARE ONLY SIX SLOTS FOR GROWING THIS.

BUT THERE WERE 70 PEOPLE WHO HAVE APPLIED.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> RIGHT.

>> LOTS OF INTEREST.

>> 70 COMPANIES APPLIED FOR THESE SIX LICENSES.

AND THIS COMMISSION THAT WAS SET UP WILL DECIDE WHICH OF THOSE 70 APPLICANTS WILL GET THESE SIX LICENSES TO PROVIDE LOW-THC OIL TO ALL THESE PATIENTS WHO ARE LICENSED TO RECEIVE IT IN THE STATE.

SO THAT PROCESS IS UNDER WAY.

THE DEADLINE TO GET IN THE APPLICATION HAS PASSED, AND NOW THE COMMISSION WILL REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS AND DECIDE WHICH ONES TO GET THE AWARD, PROBABLY IN A FEW MONTHS.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE THINKING EARLY SUMMER OR SO.

THEN IT WILL TAKE TIME TO START GROWING AND BUILDING FACILITIES AND GETTING THE MEDICINE TO THE PATIENTS.

BUT IT WILL BE HARD TO PICK JUST THE SIX.

BUT THAT'S THE WAY THE LAW WAS WRITTEN.

LEGISLATORS HAD TO DECIDE, DID THEY WANT TO ALLOW A LOT OF PRODUCERS AND DEAL WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS AND OUTPUT AND LOCATIONS?

OR JUST A FEW WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE BIGGER COMPANIES THAT CAN RAMP UP THEIR PROCESSES FASTER, BUT THAT ALSO SHUTS OUT SOME COMPETITION.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

DID IT SURPRISE YOU SO MANY PEOPLE, THAT INTEREST IS SO HIGH?

>> YES AND NO.

WHEN THE APPLICATION WENT OUT, I RECEIVED CALLS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

ANYONE WHO KNEW ME, KNEW THAT I WAS A LEGISLATOR, CALLED TO ASK ME HOW TO APPLY.

SO I'M -- I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT TYPE OF RESPONSE.

BUT I KNOW THAT EVERYONE'S INTERESTED IN IT.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE ALSO A COSPONSOR ON HB-12.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT.

>> HB-12 WOULD ESSENTIALLY DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA.

THE FACT IS HALF OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN OUR PRIVATE PRISON SYSTEM ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ARE IN THERE FOR MARIJUANA CHARGES.

AND NOW IN MOST STATES, I THINK 48, HAVE SOME TYPE OF LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN THEIR STATE.

SO TO HAVE HALF OF OUR POPULATION BEING IMPRISONED FOR SOMETHING THAT'S LEGAL ELSEWHERE, I THINK IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO DECRIMINALIZE IT.

SO THAT'S WHAT HB-12 DOES.

>> SO WE'RE TALKING -- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT -- BUT THERE IS -- THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE CONFUSED ABOUT IT.

I JUST SAW A RECENT SURVEY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA WHERE THE PEOPLE LOOK AT HEMP AND MARIJUANA FARMING AND WHAT'S LEGAL AND WHAT'S NOT LEGAL, AND THEY SEE IT ALL IN THE SAME LITTLE POT.

THAT THEY'RE ALL ALIKE, PAINT IT WITH THE SAME BRUSH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, AND THAT'S WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL ALSO POINT OUT VERY FREQUENTLY, THAT THERE IS CONFUSION ABOUT IT.

AND THE POINT THEY MAKE IS THAT MARIJUANA IS ILLEGAL IN GEORGIA, WHICH IS TRUE, UNLESS YOU ARE A LICENSED AND REGISTERED PATIENT WITH THE STATE AND EVENTUALLY, ONCE THESE SIX LICENSES ARE GIVEN OUT, BUYING THE PRODUCT FROM THOSE LICENSEES FOR THE LEGITIMATE PURPOSE.

>> ALL IN ALL, THIS IS A GOOD THING FOR GEORGIA, RIGHT?

>> IT IS.

>> I OFTEN TELL PEOPLE, AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITH FAMILIES AND A PARENT MYSELF, IT'S HARD TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WHAT'S RIGHT AND WRONG WHEN YOU SAY MARIJUANA IS LEGAL IN THIS STATE, BUT NOT IN THAT STATE.

IT'S DECRIMINALIZED IN THIS CITY, NOT IN THAT ONE.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THIS MESSAGE ACROSS TO KIDS.

WHAT DO WE TEACH THEM?

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE?

WHEN WE WERE EDUCATING THEM ON CIGARETTES, IT WAS VERY CLEAR, DON'T DO IT.

WITH MARIJUANA, IT'S OKAY FOR MEDICATION, IT'S LEGAL HERE, NOT THERE.

SO VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE A CONSISTENT MESSAGE FOR KIDS AND TEENAGERS.

>> AND SOME ADULTS, TOO.

>> AND SOME ADULTS.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET A FEW DAYS OFF, TOO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR "LAWMAKERS."

THE LEGISLATURE IS TAKING TOMORROW OFF AS WELL AS THE MONDAY HOLIDAY, SO LAWMAKERS RETURN WHEN OUR SHOW RETURNS, WHEN LEGISLATORS GET BACK IN ON TUESDAY.

AND WE'LL HAVE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN LAVE DAY 17.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.