Gov. Nathan Deal State of the State address

Gov. Nathan Deal says he hopes to sign legislation to de-criminalize some forms of medical marijuana in Georgia.

In his State of the State address Wednesday, the governor says one proposal under consideration would protect patients who need it and obtain it legally from being prosecuted for possession. Read the full address here.

But Deal says he does not support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes.

”We're focused narrowly on an oil that contains fractional amounts of THC - the chemical in marijuana that intoxicates a user,” Deal said. “We want to find a pathway to bring our children home from Colorado without becoming Colorado."

Marijuana use to treat certain medical conditions is legal in the Rocky Mountain state.

The Medical Marijuana bill originally allowed for growing and distributing medical cannabis in Georgia, but that was taken out after objections from Deal and others. Patients would still have to go to other states to get the oil. A survey by Politifact Georgia found that 84% of Georgians surveyed support medical marijuana.

Deal Proposes Creating “Opportunity School Districts”

Deal is urging lawmakers to take dramatic action on education issues facing Georgia.

The Governor proposed new state powers to take over struggling schools, through a so–called "Opportunity School District."

This initiative would allow the state to step in and rejuvenate failing public schools.

“This model has already been used successfully in other states,” Deal said.

Lawmakers would have to approve creation of the special district and then voters would get their say through a proposed amendment to the state constitution.

Deal says the problem with failing schools is not money. He says many of the lowest

Contributors: Associated Press

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