ATLANTA (AP) — Gov. Nathan Deal says he's working to see if there's something the state could do to help families who say a form of medical marijuana would ease their children's debilitating conditions.

A bill allowing cannabis oil to be legally dispensed through an academic research program failed to pass before the legislative session ended last week despite support from top Republicans. Time ran out after the bill was caught in last-minute maneuvering by lawmakers.

Deal said Monday that he was moved by stories of the children, some of whom suffer dozens of seizures a day. Deal says he'll be working with agency heads "to see if there is something that we can do to make this treatment possible." Deal says he's not sure yet if this can be done without legislation.