NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) is the oldest marijuana law reform organization. The Atlanta area chapter Peachtree NORML is keeping the issues burning as they organize for 2013. You can keep up on the latest news by joining them on Facebook.
Former “Choom Gang” Member Barack “Barry Soetoro” Hussein Obama II
Barbara Walters interview with President Obama aired last Friday and marijuana legalization was one of the topics covered. Reactions have varied from the hopeful to the pessimistic since a preview of the interview and a partial transcript were released. Now that the interview has been aired, where do the marijuana legalization measures in Colorado and Washington stand with the federal government? Different people took different things away from the interview. Just as I have blogged previously, I don’t think that President Obama said anything very substantial and feel that it is up to us — the cannabis law reform communities — to lead on this issue because the President simply isn’t. (Anthony Johnson)
A diverse group of activists and organization held a news conference yesterday to kick off the Campaign for Access, Reform & Education (Ga C.A.R.E. Project) a campaign to reform Georgia’s antiquated marijuana laws.
The local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Peachtree NORML) has joined the coalition of groups pushing marijuana law reform in Georgia.
Peachtree NORML and Georgia Moms for Marijuana are proud to announce that we will be joining with other marijuana reform groups in Georgia to begin the conversation of law reform and help to educate the voting public. We will join a press conference at the Georgia State capitol Monday, December 17th – 11AM to announce the campaign’s mission.
Sharon Ravert, Executive Director of Peachtree NORML and Public Relations Officer of Moms for Marijuana International, said “It is time to talk. We need to look at the dangers and harms that we have caused to our family structure in our efforts to keep drugs out of our communities. Now is the time to work together to reform our laws. Prohibition didn’t work before and is not working now; it has accomplished no notable positives. Mothers and fathers are talking about this at their dinner tables; it is time to talk about it in our State house. Parents are beginning to see that drug laws are more harmful than marijuana ever has been or ever could be.” Continue reading
Atlanta, Ga.: A new push to reform Georgia’s marijuana (Cannabis) laws will kick off next week as lawmakers consider criminal justice reform measures.
The Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education or Ga. C.A.R.E. Project, will host a press conference at the Georgia state capitol Monday, December 17 – 11am to announce the campaign’s mission. A project of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance, founders James Bell and Ron Williams have supported and advocated for law reform for 25 years.
James Bell, 53, said this is the first time in the 25 years Georgia has considered law reform legislation and the time is right to focus on the state’s antiquated marijuana laws.
“We applaud Gov. Nathan Deal and the legislature for their courageous efforts to reform ineffective and costly laws we can no longer afford to sustain”, Bell said. “Decades of “get tough on drugs” legislation has cost taxpayers billions and has done little to solve real crime problems.”
The Georgia C.A.R.E. Project’s agenda will focus on a four point plan to;
Ron Williams, a reform activist, said 18 states have allowed medical marijuana and two state have now legalized personal use amounts.
“Those states have led the way to show that we can decriminalize and medicalize marijuana and bring this substance under regulation and control without affecting public safety and save taxpayers dollars. It’s time to focus on this issue.”
The campaign has set up an educational website and Facebook page to connect with the public, media and lawmakers.
MPP r
eports on the legalization of marijuana in Colorado.
On November 6, 2012, the voters of Colorado approved Amendment 64. Passage of this amendment to the Colorado Constitution repeals the state prohibition of marijuana and replaces it with a system of taxation and regulation. Although marijuana is still prohibited under federal law, 99% of all marijuana arrests are made by state or local authorities, so change in state law will protect the vast majority of Colorado adults who choose to use marijuana.
In a nutshell, what does this amendment do? The amendment makes the personal use, possession, and limited home growing of marijuana legal for adults 21 years of age and older. It establishes a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol. The amendment will set up a system of marijuana distribution comprised of cultivators, product manufacturers (such as for marijuana-infused baked goods), and retail establishments. It also allows for the cultivation, processing, and sale of industrial hemp. Continue reading
MPP reports on the legalization of marijuana in Washington State.
On November 6, 2012, the voters of Washington approved I-502. Passage of this law repeals the state prohibition of marijuana and replaces it with a system of taxation and regulation. Although marijuana is still prohibited under federal law, 99% of all marijuana arrests are made by state or local authorities, so change in state law will protect the vast majority of Washington adults who choose to use marijuana.
In a nutshell, what does this law do? The law legalizes the possession of marijuana for adults age 21 and older under state law. The only marijuana that will be legal to sell in the state will be grown by specially licensed Washington farmers and sold in standalone, marijuana-only stores operated by private Washington businesses licensed and regulated by the state. I-502 also decriminalizes industrial hemp under Washington law. Continue reading
Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education 