Question: I got
arrested for having pot. But I thought pot can be legal. I only had a joint. Is pot legal in
Georgia?
Answer: We are asked this question with increasing frequency. The issue of marijuana legalization has been in the news quite a bit lately. Some states have legalized marijuana in some forms, usually for medical purposes, and other states are debating the merits of some form of legalized marijuana use. Marijuana rights groups, including NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and publications such as High Times magazine have been working diligently for many years to legalize pot.
Many doctors, educators, attorneys, farmers, ministers and others believe that legalizing pot would be a good public policy initiative. They believe that the judicial system and jails are clogged with non-violent, relatively minor marijuana cases and that pot, if properly regulated, can be used medically and provide a large source of taxable revenue to local, state and federal governments. Many people also see the potential for marijuana to create jobs in various sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, distribution and retail.
Others argue that because it is a drug, pot should be illegal. And some prosecutors are as aggressive with marijuana cases as they are with cases involving “harder” drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth.
Of course rolling paper companies, bong and water pipe manufacturers and sellers are lobbying hard for pot’s legalization.
However, in the state of Georgia marijuana is illegal. Even possession of a single marijuana cigarette is a misdemeanor. Greater amounts of pot may be charged as a felony, a more serious offense.
Please call us at 678-215-4106 so we can discuss in detail your situation.
