Legalizing Marijuana? Here's What Cartersville's Saying

Since we told you about a movement to legalize marijuana in Georgia, Patch readers have had plenty to say on the topic.

Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education, or Georgia CARE, a project of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance Inc., wants to change the state's laws on marijuana, eventually leading to a complete legalization of the drug. The group is participating in the first Southern Cannabis Reform Conference this weekend in Atlanta.

Our post, Question of the Week: Should Marijuana be Legalized, received more than 85 comments as of Wednesday. Here's what some Cartersville Patch readers had to say: 

Michelle "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."

Julien Bowles "Of [course] it should. Maybe we shouldn't partake but if it pleased the Lord to give a plant we should by vrtue of being human have unfettered access to it. It is called freedom. Why do other people have a right to tell anyone else what plants they may possess? It is arrogance IMO. Personally, I am not interested in using it but I resent the prohibition."

Nick Lambert "Marijuana is not a gateway drug it does not lead to harder drugs, it is all upon the user. The only reason it is considered a 'gateway drug' [is] because marijuana is sold on the street where the other DRUGS not MEDICINE are. If marijuana was legalized they wouldn't have to go to a dealer who offers them the harder drugs, they could instead go to a dispensary. But until then marijuana is still a drug and illegal."

Paige Reeves "yessss it helps with a lot off pain then maybe all those pill heads want have any excuse anymore."

Tim Merrick "No people are stupid enough as it is we don't need to add fuel to the fire."

Do you agree? Should marijuana be legal in Georgia? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below to continue the conversation.

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