ATLANTA, March 26 (UPI) -- Georgia's Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to sign a bill legalizing a marijuana derivative after the state House resoundingly passed the measure.
Deal is expected to sign the legislation, dubbed Haleigh's Hope Act, on Friday. The bill passed the House 160-1, putting to rest a two-year struggle by medical marijuana supporters.
The bill began last year, but died on the final day of the 2014 legislative session. As a result, 17 families moved from Georgia to Colorado so their children could access the drug.
"House Bill 1 brings them all home," Rep. Allen Peake, a Republican, the bill's chief sponsor, said. "House Bill 1 provides relief from pain and hope for a lot of citizens in our state."
The bill was inspired by Janea Cox and her daughter, Haleigh, who suffers severe seizures that have been quelled by the use of medical marijuana. Cox and Haleigh were among the families that moved to Colorado so she could have the treatment legally.
"To know that she's not only helping the seizure patients, but she's also helping so many other Georgians with ailments. It's really humbling," Cox said.
