Yes it should be legalized, like alcohol, take out the criminal behavior and just tax it.

It should absolutely be legalized. It is far safer than alcohol and we need to take these non-criminals OUT of the criminal justice system. I have never seen an episode of Intervention on a pothead...just sayin'!

Yes it needs to be legalized!! The tax money can do so much for georgia.

Yes it should be legalized. Not only for regulated sale at a smoke shop, but also legal to grow for personal consumption, just as it is legal to brew your own beer or make your own wine. Seeds should also be legalized. I hope this prohibition ends in my lifetime and stops making criminals out of millions of American citizens.

Legalize it!

Yes legalize it! Georgia could use the extra money. Why else would they start selling alcohol in stores on sunday except to help the economy! Vote "YES" to legalize it!

Definitely should be legalized. In addition to tax money boosting the economy, there will be less money spent on housing criminals for petty offenses, hemp can be used to make almost anything you can think of and the medical benefits of marijuana far outweigh the disadvantages. It's hardly a drug, it's a plant and it's far less dangerous than consuming alcohol.

Happy to see so many in favor of legalizing ... prohibition didn't work for alcohol and I'm hoping to see the war on drugs end soon.

Yes, what we need is to add potheads, texting and tweeting, to our roadways along with the drunks! What a brilliant idea!

I read where the taxes on it are as high as 75%, I say yes, why not?

Really man is that the best you could come up with . If u cant have a arguement better shut up and read the information is out there the good far out ways the bad . Whats the worse the
side affect people get the munchies and buy out the local convenience store . How could that possibly be compared to a
drunk??

well....considering the costs of housing and feeding these 'criminals' plus the ineffective use of the War On Drugs funds, anyone should be able to understand the legalization of pot is not only a cost savings, income generating process, but also is the only viable option. Prohibition didnt work on alcohol and it doesnt work on mj.

also ,I would be happy to get more involved in getting this legislation passed, so contact me and lets get started !

It should be legalized, taxed and treated the same as alcohol. Grow it, smoke it, just don't drive under its influence. It would reduce border violence, provide useful tax revenue and decrease the burden on the legal system.

Yes, legalize it!!! Alcohol is far worse!!! Let's get the tax dollars instead of spending it filling up our jails!!!!!

Legalize it and an illlegal underground "pot" supply will pop up just like when alcohol was illegal. Count on it.

Don't drive? Hahahahaha. When you're under the influence of a drug and need to get home.........welll what can I say?

Renee, maybe you should spend a nite in Grady's ER and see all the "innocent pot smokers" and their victims roll in. I guarantee it will change your mind! I worked there for a number of years and I have seen it.

lets see...what does the estimated 1 Trillion spent on War on Drugs accomplish?
nothing, according to the director of the War. I thought it was a great idea to set aside funds, purchase all grass they could, package it up like cigs, and sell them over the counter . but I am a little liberal about this. Anyway , that program of mine would keep the poverty stricken growers in business, maintain control ( a little ) over supply and distribution would generate profits and taxes.
My brother did a full year in Texas for possession of 4 ounces, that was 25 years age, and the prisons are still full of so called drug dealers, while all the time, hundreds of kilos cross the mexican border...who distributes this amount...think the local cops DONT know ? anyway , I am finished preaching.

Yes, Why Not !!! Legalize everything Cherokee County that you possible can

Yes!

Hal, many of us are victims of impaired drivers. But, this law isn't going to encourage people to break the law. People who are not responsible when driving are not going to become less responsible if marijuana should be legalized. It will still be illegal to be under the influence of marijuana and get behind the wheel of a car. The benefit, aside from its sizable tax revenues is that much of the crime that comes with it being illegal would stop, tax payers would no longer have to pay to house those in jail, people in jail (long term) for issues that never should have taken them there (focus should be on putting violent'/dangerous criminals in jail and those suffering from the painful effects of cancer and other debilitating illness can have less costly & readily available forms of relief. Tabaco farms have been long awaiting the opportunity to grow this crop along with smaller growers. Legalize and tax it!

So, Hal, how many deaths have been justified by the taxes from tobacco and alcohol? You don't mind that those drugs are legal, yet they kill more people every single day than marijuana kills in a year. You also think that once we legalize marijuana, all other drugs will become legal too. LOL! What sound logic that is. Given your age, your ignorance about this subject doesn't surprise me. By the way- hashish comes from marijuana. Hashish is the resin from the marijuana plant itself. Just a little knowledge, since you think hashish is some other drug as indicated by your other comment. So yes, if you legalize marijuana.. hash will be legal too.

I personally do not smoke anything. But, I think too many tax dollars are being spent trying to put the genie back in the bottle.

Yes, absolutely I think it should be legalized. I tried it when I was a teenager and I didn't like it but I have always believed that it should not be illegal for someone who does choose to smoke it. I have raised 5 children, and each one of them went through their wild days when they did things that they were told not to do. I can truthfully say that out of all the drugs I believe that pot is the safest, and I don't believe that it causes car accidents, if anything they drive too slow! Marijuana is illegal because it has many wonderful things about it. They have proved long ago that it heals cancer and other disorders. Do you honestly think the government will allow it to be legalized having said that it can cure cancer? We live in a country where it's main focus is making millions, and millions....The big pharma wants us sick and dying, we make them rich. Not only does it cure cancer, it also has over 10,000 things that be made from it, like paper, rope, cars and even houses. People don't realize the real reason why the government wants to keep it illegal. They have done a great job of brainwashing the majority of the people into believing that pot is a horrible drug that can cause great harm. Like Dr. Ben Carson tried to tell the people..."Wake up, and be smart!" If you have a computer, do your own research, and stop listening to the media!

Oh and I forgot to mention Hemp seed, which can be found in health food stores. It is very nutritious, full of protein and taste great on salads! Research!!

There is no valid reason for keeping marijuana illegal. It is not a hard, dangerous drug. It even has some health benefits for anxiety, nausea and pain. The biggest plus of changing the laws would be putting dangerous drug dealers out of business. Their profits would be gone -- evaporated, nonexistent. What's more expenses connected to this the law enforcement efforts and incarceration of people who have not done anything to hurt anyone would go away as well. A bargain for our cash-strapped governments. It's a win-win all the way around. Well, only the bad guys lose.

goodness...Hal, legalizing pot will make it available with a doc's prescription. For UNDER AGE users , there will always be access, the same as underage drinking is here. 400 deaths by auto while driving under the influence of mj..is that a national or Georgia stat ? Hate to believe that over 40k deaths occurred in Georgia by auto accidents. The reason it appears we are ganging up on you is that you havent provided any stats that support your position. Thanks for your input tho.

I wonder how many people have died from prescription drugs while driving....Hmmm. There are always going to be people who are narrow minded. They have a one track mind that doesn't listen to reason. These are the people that the government and the ones who control them are the most pleased with. They are sheep that follow the herd programmed to believe every lie that they hear. Sad, but true.

How many legal prescription drugs contain the following warning… “Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.”…??? I’m more worried about sharing the road with someone on Ambien or Vicodin than marijuana. There are a millions of people driving around on very scary legal prescription drugs! Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!

I would like to point out the fact that the statistics Hal is mentioning are not fact. How can you prove that marijuana caused those 400 accidents. Sorry, but you can not prove that alcohol, drugs, or a deer crossing the road killed someone due to the accident. There are plenty of car accidents where people are sober and great drivers and someone gets killed. It is a fact of life. For that matter maybe we should make automobiles illegal since they cause a large amount of deaths. I vote legalize it, it would make the economy better. Wether it is illegal or legal I don't think you will see a lot of differance in the amount of people use marijuana. People will do what people will want there is nothing anyone can say to change that. Speeding for instance, if someone always speeds then giving them a speeding ticket will not stop them . Most people if they have a speeding ticket then they have multiple. I say go for it. Quit wasting money on housing inmates on possession charges and spend that money on murders, rapist, kidnappers, thieves, abusers, and DUI's.

So, it's settled then. There's officially one person in Canton who doesn't want to legalize it. What exactly are we waiting for again??

Consider this. Your type, your breed, your generation....is on it's way out. I realize that after generations of draconian laws and power over the people, it's a hard thing to let go of. It's almost finally over though, and there's nothing that you, sir, can do about it. I pity you.

I'd happily see them put it on the ballot. I'd most certaintly be standing in line to vote.

I apologize. I thought I was quite pleasant. I've been a little extra testy as of late; you see, I am attempting to gain employment. :)

Hal, are you kidding? Did you think I was comparing pot to prescription drugs? Absolutely not! Prescription drugs are much, much more dangerous than pot is. Not only am I a mother of 5 grown children, I am big on research so there is much more going on here than people know about. Legalizing marijuana would boost our economy, it has powerful healing elements and we would not have cut down so many of our beautiful trees! Come on just lighten up a bit and you will begin to see the big picture...

I'm not going to get into right wrong, irresponsible behavior whether it's legal or not. Does anyone really believe if is legalized it is going decrease the amount that will be smuggled across our borders and that the major growers are going to throw their arms up and say gee darn we're not going to be able to sell it any more? Prices will come down making it more affordable. The feds will get their share of the tax and our state who couldn't even manage proceeds from the lottery for education will have the opportunity to screw this up to. I guess mishandled income is better than no income at all

Hal....you said in one of your last comments "This is how the system works," which was contradicting considering that in a prior conversation you said you were all for the states rights and that the federal government has no authority over it in the constitution. But then....you said those powerful words "that is how the system works," and to be honest you were right when you said that, and until smart people wake up and realize how corrupt our system truly is, we will never be free. And those two states that did legalize pot, you better believe that our corrupt government will go at it tooth and nail until they eventually find a way to take away what was passed. Unfortunately that's just the way the system works. This is not about people smoking pot. It's about control,power and MONEY. People are terribly brainwashed. Scary!

@bigdushbag - It's definitely because I'm funnier than you. That, and you don't understand sarcasm. For the record, I am employed. It was a joke. And I already have children. 2 boys to add to this beautiful human race. Do us a favor and get out of the gene pool.

so , how do we go about getting this on the next ballot ? or maybe a separate vote ? I did do some research yet havent come up with a definitive answer. anyone ?

Go to www.gacareproject.com - follow or like them on Facebook and keep up with curent events. Go green!

You can also attend the Southern Cannabis Reform Conference on March 15th/16th. www.gacareproject.com/medical-marijuana/southern-cannabis-reform-conference-march-15-16-atlanta.htm

I'm with the legalize it, decriminalize it, tax it, with luck get rid of the "fake" stuff which is even more harmful to the body. Give the same driving under the influence laws as alcohol. Wonder what the taxes would do for our economy?

Cannabis should be RE-legalized...

Law enforcement needs to re-direct its focus on crime...to those that are REAL crimes.

I was in Federal Prison for 5 years for a marijuana offense. No, it was not for simple possession. I was arrested aboard a Lockheed PV2 in Marianna, Florida...charged and convicted for conspiracy to import and distribute 12,000 pounds of marijuana.

As those 5 years rolled by, what I did see were armed bank robbers, coming and going...while I still sat there for marijuana. Most of the bank robbers only spent 17 to 24 months. But, I and my fellow 'drug offenders,'...we stayed for YEARS.

I wrote about the escapades that led to my incarceration.
I admit, I had a great time.
No one was injured, no one was killed, firearms were not involved...there were no victims.

We were Americans...doing what Americans do best...living free.

The book: Shoulda Robbed a Bank
I think you may enjoy it...

All card-carrying members of the DEA need to read: Shoulda Robbed a Bank
Here is one of its reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars... If David Sedaris had written 'Catcher in the Rye'..this would be it, June 30, 2012

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shoulda Robbed a Bank (Kindle Edition)

I have never smoked pot in my life...nor do I ever care to.
I read about this book in numerous Huffington Post comments. Thought I would read it because I know nothing about marijuana or the people involved with it. I am ecstatic that I did. Funny, Funny, Funny!!!
The chapters are like short stories. Stories about unloading boats with helicopters, close encounters with law enforcement, traveling through the jungles of South America. The chapter about the author's first time smoking marijuana made me feel like I was with him...coughing.
All of the characters were just a group of loveable, nice guys and girls. Not what I had been raised to believe...hysterical maniacs high on pot bent on death and mayhem. They were nothing like that.
If you have ever read any of David Sedaris' books, and like them...you will love Shoulda Robbed a Bank.
And the crazy things happening reminded me of Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye' and the way he staggered through life.
The way the words are put together are like nothing I have ever heard. I am sure I will use many of the sayings found in this book just to dazzle my friends. A terrific read. I love this book.

I think it should be legal, I just spent $15,000 in lawyers fees to get my 17 yer old son off of mj charges. Do you know what I could have done with that money??? It's not going to go away and too many people like it..I personally do not like it and I was told its just as relaxing as a drink???

For all you smokers (and there is more in Forsyth Co than ticks on a fat dog) the State of Colorado has just passed a law allowing law enforcement to measure the amount of "pot" in a person system when they are arrested or stopped for a traffic violation or etc. Can you say " POT DUI"?

absolutely legalize it. a great way to raise revenue with both taxes and fines for dui/dwi. there are ways to measure impairment - right?

Wait a minute. Since when does pot CURE cancer???

I think it is very telling that this article has generated 70+ comments so far, while articles on the country's debt or deficit get two or three, if they're lucky!

I'd say that's pretty indicative of how screwed up the priorities of the general public are!

Well, Hal, that's only because the country's debt would go down, if we were taxing pot, hemp, etc.

What I find far more intriguing is that for someone who is against smoking pot, you spend an awful lot of time of this thread!

Technically, I think you'll find that at no time did I say I was against smoking pot.

I fully support the legalization and regulation of all cannibis species.

It is a wonderful plant, a true gift from God who gave man all seed bearing plants.

Please vote yes to legalize.

It is an amazing medicine for people who are sick and is much more effective at relieving pain than synthetic man made opiates like oxycodone, which kill more Americans every year than all illegal drugs combined.

Georgia's cancer patients should not be denied this healing herb any longer!

Emily ~ google "Run from the Cure" by Rick Simpson, utube part one. The healing is in the oil, and if you go online and just google hemp oil and cancer you will be amazed at what you learn. Also google Max Gerson, he also had a cure for cancer but FDA and the big government came in and shut them down. What people need to know is that there have been many gems out there, but if it can't be patented, our government will never allow it to happen. What really upsets me is the fact that our wonderful government allows our food to be be stocked on the shelves in the grocery stores with GMO"s which most Americans don't know anything about. It is where round up is genetically cloned into the seed and most all processed foods, cereals, cookies are GMO.( Google Monsanto ) This has nothing to do with the legalization of pot but if you do the research you will start to realize how it's all connected and only then will you understand the big picture.BIG MONEY! If you want to understand it more watch," America: Freedom to Fascism" on utube. Very educating video. .

Let's ask the POLICE OFFICERS: How many times a week do you have to take a belligerent, violent, dangerous drunk person to jail before -- or after -- he hurts somebody? Or break up a scary, booze-fueled domestic incident? Now swap out "drunk" for "not drunk but stoned." How do the numbers stack up? Which type of perp would you rather interact with personally during the arrest/booking process?

It was the will of the American people that legalized marijuana in CO and WA and it was the will of the American people that gave President Obama a second term. He can't now nullify one without severely undermining the legitimacy of the other!

In the seventy years since the launch of the marijuana prohibition we've learned a few important things: 1.) The prohibition absolutely does NOT stop people using marijuana. 2.) The prohibition causes FAR more harm than what it prevents. 3.) The prohibition fuels organized crime and makes children LESS safe.

It is fundamentally WRONG for the government to continue any policy that causes more harm than good! We have to put the safety of our children FIRST and demand that they legalize marijuana like beer and wine.

70+ comments that refute most everything you say Hal. You are ignorant on the subject matter.

Hal, your clearly a child when it comes to admitting your wrong
Having someone killed by an impaired driver is just bringing nonsense into it, I'm pretty sure that was a mix of alcohol And the ganja, find something better to do than be a hero, your exactly the kind of American the rest of the world laughs at, and even harder when they're stoned, hahahahaa.

Yes it needs to be legalized!! There are so many good things it can be used for and it is so much better then the pain killers the doctors are practically handing them out to their patients!

I was in Federal Prison with Brother Love and several of his followers from the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church in the 1980's. We had all been convicted of marijuana offenses...separate cases.

The head of Brother Love's defense team was former US Attorney General, Ramsey Clark. Their defense was based on religious freedom.

While in prison together, I read hundreds of pages of the transcript from his trial. Many are available on the web today.

The panel of 'expert witnesses,' presented by his defense team, included the foremost authorities in medicine of that era. The overwhelming amount of evidence documenting the medicinal benefits of marijuana was staggering.

And, that was in the early 1980's. Now, fully 30 years later, the same lame arguments are still being paraded.

How pathetic.

The Feds are losing the war. Mark my words it will be legal in most states within 7 years. Way too much money to be made and saved by it being legalized. Also there is a big misconception when it comes to decriminalizing and legalizing. Decriminalizing means it is still illegal but it is a civil matter punishable with a fine. Leagalizing means it is totally legal. No arrest and no fine as long as you are not using in public or operating a vehicle under the influnece. And that is another thing; Washington state and Colorado are trying to make a 5 nannograms in your system a pot dui. If you have smoked within the past week you will have 5 ngs in your system and will be arrested. This is definitely one are of the marijauna legalization that will have to be addressed. But we will get there!!!

And let me just say that poor Hal is so misinformed. I will not try to convert you and nor shall you try to convert me. Just because you are against it, and if you are not than you sure have waisted a lot of time trying to convice others you are, don't push your self serving agenda on me. I have the right to believe what I want and so do you. For the record, I am a conservative Christian republican (leaning towards liberatatian these days). In my mind this is not a right or left issue, it is a freedom to smoke what you want issue. And by the way Hal, me smoking pot in the privacy of my own home, does not in any way infringe on yours or anybody elses rights. You pushing your agenda is infringing on my rights!!!

As an "escapee" of Georgia now living in California where medical marijuana store operate in the open and prescription wielding hippies are everywhere, I am convinced that Georgia is wrong. While it may be annoying to smell the stuff as you walk down the street it causes NO real social issues and frankly I am glad to know that violent crime is down because of it and our prisons don't contain folks that just want to get high. Thank God for the enlightened and God help those Polititicians that continue to use this against good citizens who's only crime was living in a narrow minded state. Two things to consider in your arguments - the legacy of a state that was founded as a penal colony by the British and the privatization of prisons (how does shareholder value increase in this model?). Georgia good luck in your quest to take back your individual voices and be heard by those that represent you!

its so dangers! give us a break marijuana is tracked to the start of man as med. and rec. use. its a peace maker, the government is the evil that they place over our eyes. legal or not i will stand and smoke. people who smoke need to stand up and fight for our right to toke. those who are standing up stand strong. soon there will be too many people standing for the government to say no and say ok. WE THE PEOPLE make this government a government we have the right to say yes to a no

Okay. Mr. Myers just showed why it shouldn't be legalized...

Ok Larry, what exactly did he say that hurt your feelings?

lol. larry if i offended u. u needed it. so why do u think it shouldn't be legal. i guess u like the crime we have going on in the streets i understand that there's more to do with crime then just pot. I bet it would help to be legal reduce some crime

Wow! This is GREAT! The longest thread of responses! Legalize it!! All come out for the Hemp Fest May 4th..Freedom Park.. Music, Good Friends and Good times