Session adjourns without medical marijuana bill being introduced

The 2011 legislative session has adjourned in Atlanta without introduction or discussion of medical marijuana legislation. For another year, those who need and use medical marijuana in Georgia still remain at risk of being arrested and prosecuted. With medical marijuana legislation being introduced in two of Georgia’s neighboring states, North Carolina and Florida, the argument that the political appetite for a discussion on the benefits of medical marijuana is not there tends to fall on deaf ears.

Although the 2011 session has adjourned, you can still contact your legislators today and tell them that Georgia residents want and deserve to have a serious discussion about compassionate legislation that protects medical marijuana patients. It takes only a few minutes of your time, but it makes a world of difference. If you are able to start a dialogue with your representative or senator, you may want to share with them MPP's model bill. You can also write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting a medical marijuana law in Georgia.

If you are a medical professional, a patient who might benefit from medical marijuana, or if you know somebody who might benefit from medical marijuana, we would like to hear from you. Additionally, if you are a law enforcement official or a clergy member, please email state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help. Please include your address or nine-digit ZIP code so we can determine who your legislators are.

To receive news about Georgia marijuana policy reform as it happens, be sure to subscribe to MPP's free legislative alert service, if you haven't done so already. If you have any questions concerning the status of marijuana reform in Georgia, you can contact MPP at state@mpp.org.

Learn About Marijuana Policies in Georgia

As of 2007, Georgia ranked number 15 in the nation with 351 out of 100,000 residents being arrested for a marijuana offense. A whopping 84% of these arrests were for mere possession (as opposed to manufacture or trafficking). Georgia also has some of the most punitive marijuana laws in the country, with possession of a mere two ounces being punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Subjecting an individual to a prison sentence for possession of a substance proven safer than alcohol and funding that sentence with tax payer dollars is not sound policy. Please write your state representatives and ask that they replace the current criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana with a simple civil violation. This simple change will decrease law enforcement costs while saving hundreds of otherwise law-abiding Georgia residents from the burden of living the rest of their lives with convictions on their records.

In addition to straining law enforcement costs, criminal policy focused on marijuana users puts an enormous strain on precious law enforcement time. In 2007, the clearance rate for murder in Georgia was a mere 57.1%. For rape, the clearance rate stood at an appalling 37.9%. With so many violent crimes going unsolved, it’s about time Georgia legislators end the prohibition on marijuana once and for all!

To learn more about Georgia, read Dr. Jon Gettman, Ph.D.'s report.