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New medical marijuana bill in Senate weaker than House form
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ATLANTA (AP) — A new bill to legalize a form of medicinal marijuana in Georgia has been filed in the state Senate, and unlike its House counterpart would set up a four-year study rather than making the drug available immediately.

Advocates of the House bill, which passed overwhelmingly last week, say the Senate version would essentially gut the measure passed overwhelmingly by the lower chamber last week.

Rep. Allen Peake's House bill calls for limited quantities of cannabis oil to be used by prescription to treat seizure disorders and eight other medical conditions. It sets no age limits.

The new bill by Sen. Lindsey Tippins would limit the oil's use to children under 18 with epilepsy who are taking part in a research trial to be conducted through the University System of Georgia.