Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Is it worth Gwinnett County's time to arrest someone for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana?
A group of students from the University of North Georgia say "No," and they are asking county commissioners to have local police stop doing it. Members of the group, which calls itself Students for Sensible Drug Policy, implored the commission on Tuesday to "decriminalize" possession of less than an ounce of the drug.
"I believe Gwinnett County could benefit from this massively," group member and Buford resident Severin Mangold told commissioners." We're arresting juveniles at unbelievable rates and ruining their ability to attend college. Their eligibility for the HOPE scholarship goes out the door as well."
Mangold and other members of the group who addressed the commission pointed to similar actions recently taken by Clarkston to enact leaner punishments, including a small fine, for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Another North Georgia student, Hunter Knight, told commissioners that prosecuting someone for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana takes away time that a person could spend in school or at a job.
"We need to make this community better for everyone," Knight told the commission. "I feel a plant shouldn't be the thing that changes people's lives."
State law still has stiff penalties for possession and use of the drug, however, and Gwinnett County commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said that ties the hands of county leaders when it comes to drug enforcement. She said she welcomed the students input on any issue that is important to them, however.
"As for the specific proposal, possession of marijuana is regulated by state and federal law," Nash said. "No local government has the authority to decriminalize any action deemed criminal under state and federal law. Under Georgia law, possession of less than one ounce is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail or $1,000 fine."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Students Want Marijuana Possession 'Decriminalized' In Gwinnett
Author: Curt Yeomans
Contact: 770-963-9205
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Gwinnett Daily Post
A group of students from the University of North Georgia say "No," and they are asking county commissioners to have local police stop doing it. Members of the group, which calls itself Students for Sensible Drug Policy, implored the commission on Tuesday to "decriminalize" possession of less than an ounce of the drug.
"I believe Gwinnett County could benefit from this massively," group member and Buford resident Severin Mangold told commissioners." We're arresting juveniles at unbelievable rates and ruining their ability to attend college. Their eligibility for the HOPE scholarship goes out the door as well."
Mangold and other members of the group who addressed the commission pointed to similar actions recently taken by Clarkston to enact leaner punishments, including a small fine, for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Another North Georgia student, Hunter Knight, told commissioners that prosecuting someone for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana takes away time that a person could spend in school or at a job.
"We need to make this community better for everyone," Knight told the commission. "I feel a plant shouldn't be the thing that changes people's lives."
State law still has stiff penalties for possession and use of the drug, however, and Gwinnett County commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash said that ties the hands of county leaders when it comes to drug enforcement. She said she welcomed the students input on any issue that is important to them, however.
"As for the specific proposal, possession of marijuana is regulated by state and federal law," Nash said. "No local government has the authority to decriminalize any action deemed criminal under state and federal law. Under Georgia law, possession of less than one ounce is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail or $1,000 fine."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Students Want Marijuana Possession 'Decriminalized' In Gwinnett
Author: Curt Yeomans
Contact: 770-963-9205
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Gwinnett Daily Post
