Two Georgia lawmakers want to drug-test welfare recipients, a controversial policy that's been struck down as unconstitutional in other states. Rep. Jason Spencer, R-Woodbine, and Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, said Thursday they plan to introduce legislation to require people to pass a drug test to qualify for cash welfare. "Georgia taxpayers have a vested interest in making sure that their hard-earned tax dollars are not being used to subsidize drug addiction," Spencer said in a news release. "In these tough economic times, it is easy to understand that many deserving families need some temporary help until they can bounce back financially - that's why we have public assistance programs like TANF. This additional eligibility requirement will simply ensure that those funds are used for that intended purpose." [continues 419 words]
As state lawmakers move to ban a synthetic form of marijuana that sent three Atlanta teens to the hospital, local officials say they have not seen any abuse of the new drug. A bill in the state House of Representatives would ban a compound known as K2 or spice, an artificial - and stronger - form of chemicals found in marijuana that produce euphoric and hallucinogenic effects. It does not show up on drug tests. State Rep. Jay Neal, R-Lafayette, introduced House Bill 1309 after a drug counselor showed him articles about K2 from other states. As a minister, Neal said he sees the dangers of drug abuse and wanted to stop spice before it became popular in Georgia. [continues 455 words]
Pro-Pot Chapter Gets Ally In Ex-Commissioner A former Athens-Clarke commissioner is representing a pro-marijuana student group in its fight against the University of Georgia. Civil rights lawyer Elton Dodson is defending the UGA chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a group that advocates legalizing marijuana, against sanctions stemming from the group using the image of mascot Hairy Dog in promotional materials. Dodson said he does not necessarily subscribe to NORML's beliefs, but he admires members' willingness to speak up. [continues 430 words]
U.S. Rep. Paul Broun offered Democrats a peace pipe and sent Republican leaders' hopes that he'd toe the party line up in smoke this week by voting to ease federal restrictions on medical marijuana laws. The Republican congressman from Athens was sworn in Wednesday and cast his first vote in the House of Representatives late that night in support of an amendment to stop the U.S. Justice Department from prosecuting people who distribute medical marijuana in states where it is legal. [continues 380 words]
