Gov. Nathan Deal will sign a bill Thursday that will legalize the possession of cannabis oil to treat eight medical conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Patients will need to get their doctor’s permission and sign their name to a state registry. They will also have to go outside Georgia to buy the oil.

Medical cannabis oil is legal in neighboring Florida and several other states. But it is still against federal law to transport marijuana products of any kind across state lines. Individuals could face fines or arrest if caught.

Rep. Allen Peake, the sponsor of Georgia’s law, says he hopes lawmakers will approve the growing of medical marijuana in the state next year.

Gov. Deal signed an executive order in March requiring state agencies to prepare for the enactment of the medical marijuana law. See image below.

By signing this executive order, state agencies can prepare for when our families who’ve sought cannabis oil treatment elsewhere can finally return home. I look forward to the day when I can sign HB 1 into law – a day that is coming soon.

A photo posted by Governor Nathan Deal (@governordeal) on Mar 27, 2015 at 9:09am PDT

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