This week has been nothing but good news for activists in Georgia who have been pushing for decriminalization of cannabis. Early this week it was reported that the State Representative Allen Peake backed House Bill 65 that will expand the number of ailments that would allow a person to be able to access MMJ will get the chance to become a law on Friday. That would be a big win for patients who are seeking the use of CBD oils.
Rumors that Georgia could reduce punishments for marijuana possession have sparked new hope that the Peach State might become a Green state.
Per 420intel
On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee put their stamp of approval on a measure aimed at treating small time pot possession as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. The proposal would allow citizens to hold up to two ounces of weed without scarring their permanent record with felonious marks. Instead, police would book these people under a misdemeanor classification, which would give defendants more opportunities to stay out of jail.
In some of the state’s jurisdictions, city officials are working to take this concept a step further by actually decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. In Atlanta, lawmakers are discussing a measure that would make up to an ounce of weed a civil infraction instead of a criminal act – an offense that would not come with any jail time.
But it will only work if law enforcement officials get onboard.
“This has to be an agreement that the chief is going to not prosecute and not push for the officers to use the state law,” Atlanta city councilman Kwanza Hall told the Associated Press.
There is a partial push across the state to do what the city of Clarkson did last summer, when local officials passed an ordinance punishing small time pot offenders with a $75 fine. The new rule is similar to other decriminalization ordinances all over the nation, whereby police are simply given the freedom to write a ticket instead of hauling offenders to jail.
Currently, anyone caught with an ounce of weed could face up to 10-years in prison and a $1500 fine.