Last spring, state Rep. Allen Peake, a Macon Republican, was riding high on momentum from the passage of his medical marijuana bill. He almost became Georgia’s House majority leader back in May. When he fell just short, Peake received a nice consolation prize: Gov. Nathan Deal named him one of his floor leaders.

But only six months later, Peake abruptly stepped down from his leadership position. The reason? Growing marijuana in Georgia.

House Bill 1, which last year legalized the possession of cannabis oil for people suffering from a limited number of illnesses, does not allow for in-state cultivation. Peake wanted to legalize the growth of marijuana — in a highly regulated manner — so residents could obtain medicine without leaving the state or breaking the law.

Though more than 100 state reps back his bill, the governor remains opposed, which led to their split. The lawmaker recently spoke with us about his efforts to legalize in-state cultivation. [Read more at Atlanta Magazine]