Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jan 2014
Source: Gwinnett Daily Post, The (GA)
Copyright: 2014 Post-Citizen Media Inc.
Contact:  http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2480
Note: Letters can run as long as 400 words.
Author: Camie Young

POLL SHOWS GEORGIANS THOUGHTS ON POT LAWS

Since Colorado and Washington recently made headlines by allowing the
legal consumption of marijuana, some advocates say Georgia voters are
ready for the idea.

State affiliates of the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws released a statewide poll last week that showed 62
percent of Georgia voters endorse eliminating criminal penalties for
less than one ounce of marijuana.

"The citizens of Georgia agree, marijuana prohibition is a wasteful
and destructive policy. It is time for our state to catch up with
public opinion and find a more sensible solution to the status quo,"
said Sharon Ravert, of Peachtree NORML.

The organization is working with lawmakers and other groups in hopes
to replace the current criminal penalties of possession, which
includes jail time, with a $100 civil fine.

In the poll, 57 percent of voters said they support legalizing the use
of marijuana for medical purposes, and Ravert welcomes the discussion,
saying it could take years.

"Decriminalization, which received the highest level of support among
those polled is a policy that could be enacted immediately and would
provide legal protection to not only patients but those unfairly
targeted by the current policy," she said. "This is not about getting
high; this is about protecting sick people and everyone else from
arrest using a harm reduction strategy with public safety as a top
priority."  
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