Today, if you get caught in possession of an ounce or less of cannabis in the city of Atlanta and throughout, you will receive a ticket and a small fine. That’s a far jump from the massive fine and jail time you would’ve faced before. What a difference 5 years can make.
It was October 2nd 2017 that then city-councilman Kwanza Hall put all his political chips on the table. Running for Mayor at the time, Kwanza decided to take up the conversation of decriminalization.
At the time, Hall was one of many city-council members who were running to replace Kasim Reed as Mayor of Atlanta. In a race that featured 11 candidates, 3 of which were his co-workers, he had to do something that separated him from the crowd. His support for decriminalization could be it.
in 2022, standing for decrim, legalization and social equity are all common talking points for candidates from all parties. in 2017, it still wasn’t the most popular stance at the time. Aside from then-senator Vincent Fort, most of the candidates would hesitate to say where they sided on decriminalization.
Weeks before the vote, Kwanza would make an appearance on the CashColorCannabis Podcast It was that night that he made the bold statement that he would introduce an ordinace to decriminalize cannabis in the city of Atlanta and throughout
“If I could do this, what could I do when I become Mayor?” That’s a statement. That’s a moment. Especially when you are fighting in a crowded field for one job.
After this interview, Kwanza made a small media tour touting his new plans for decriminalization and his plans for when he becomes Mayor. Kwanza picked up a lot of support during this time. But could he make his promise come true?
On October 2nd, 2017, city hall was crowded with activists, lobbyists patients who came to see how this would play out.
“I was actually in the city Council meeting when it was announced,” said Stanley Atkins.
Atkins serves as Georgia chapter president for M4MM United. As one of the more vocal voices for reforms in cannabis laws in the state, he was one of the many that came to see the vote in person.
Also in attendance that day was National Director for the National Cannabis Party Chris Brown. A native Atlantan, Chris has been one of the many who have been at the forefront of the movement to change the stigma around the plant.
“I was sitting on the third row in the Atlanta City Council chambers watching deliberation as the call for the vote was raised,” said Brown.
A person who had to be there that day was T.K. “Hollywood” Harris.
Along with her father, Michael “Coach” Harris, it was their lobbying efforts through Harris and Associates LLC that was instrumental in lighting a fire for decriminalization in the city of Atlanta in the first place. She recalled being at city hall the day the ordinance was passed.
“I was one of the last speakers in the room for the committee in Atlanta City Hall. I was a harm reduction specialist at Aniz Inc. Kwanza Hall, Chris Brown and My Dad, “Coach” Michael Harris were at Atlanta City Hall when they announced that they would decriminalize in Fulton.”
The political theater was on full display. Fellow city-council person, Keisha Lance-Bottoms was quick to voice her opinions about the proposed ordinance and her fears about what could happen.
When the vote finally came in, people watched slowly as every one of the 12 cast their vote. One after another, yes, yes, yes.
Even Keisha-Lance Bottoms, who would later win the Mayoral race, would vote yes. The city council voted unanimously to vote on ordinance 17-0-1152. Also known, cannabis possession is officially decriminalized in the city of Atlanta and through out.
Just like that, the city joined Clarkston county as cities in Georgia to decriminalize cannabis possession.
You could feel the excitement in the air after the vote.
While there were cheers from those in attendance, there were many people on the outside who were confused as to what happened. The education about what decriminalization is was left for people to figure out.
“I do not feel that the general public is educated enough on the ordinance,” said Stanley Atkins
“Many people believed that with the decriminalization of Atlanta that it was the same for the rest of the entire state and that is not true. There are over a dozen jurisdictions in Georgia that are decriminalized.”
Some people thought it meant cannabis was now legal in the city.
“Only the advocates were (and are) educated enough to understand not just decriminalization, but laws relative to local municipalities. Stonecrest just decriminalized last month, while some assumed all of Dekalb had decriminalized when really just Clarkston and select areas were.” said Harris.
What happened after the official roll out of information following the vote is still up for debate.
What isn’t up for debate is that October 5th 2017 changed the conversation. Kwanza’s announcement and the vote after gave a lot of local politicians the ability to openly support cannabis. Prior to this vote, most local officials would shy away from taking a stance. As we stand today, if you are running for local office in Fulton county, you come prepared to answer questions about where you stand on cannabis legalization in the state, more access to patients and reversing charges for those in jail for cannabis possession.
Stanley agrees that a lot has changed since that day.
“I feel that a lot has changed in the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. We have seen a significant reduction in the race of people of color for simple cannabis possession.
Chris Brown also feels that a lot has changed for many other jurisdictions since Fulton county’s decision to decriminalize cannabis.
“Fulton County (Unincorporated), Savannah, Forest Park, City of South Fulton, Macon-Bibb County, Tybee Island, Kingsland, and most recently Athens and Stonecrest all passed decriminalization legislation within their jurisdiction. I know that Georgia just issued two class one licenses for cannabis cultivation! I know folks got Georgia on their mind.”
There is still much more to do in Fulton county and Georgia overall to bring justice to the plant. 5-years ago, seeds were planted for change. Let’s see what those seeds eventually sprout into.