Legislation introduced Wednesday by a state senator would eliminate the charge of felony marijuana possession in Georgia law, and reduce the crime to a misdemeanor.
Senate Bill 254, would not legalize the possession or selling of marijuana, said bill sponsor Sen. Harold Jones II. But the legislation would eliminate the severe penalties that can come with a felony arrest and conviction, such as the suspension of voting rights and loss of eligibility for food stamps, he said.
“This is an opportunity to give Georgians hope that they won’t lose so many benefits” said Jones, D-Augusta, a former solicitor general for Richmond County. “… the cost of regulating marijuana as a felony outweighs the negligible benefits.”
Currently, possession of more than one ounce of marijuana is classified as a felony in Georgia.
Read more
Georgia Bill Would End Felony Charges for Marijuana Possession
Recommended
