On Facebook, Patch readers overwhelmingly say yes, it should be legal, with one no. What about you?

This is a measure that needs to be put on the ballot for voters to decide. We need to decriminalize the use and growing of marijuana. We spend too much taxpayer money on incarcerations and law enforcement and it seems to be doing no good. Moreover it gives people an unnecessary criminal record which may impede their employment. This reminds me of the failure of prohibation.In addition this would be an excellent revenue source for the state of Georgia. But first we have to replace a few Georgia legislators at the next election and make this an issue.

I say we make it legal tax .10 on a dollar if u have to it slack off on arrest treat it like u would beer keep and use it at home dont go to work on it and dont drive under the in fluence how can we go wrong

I believe this need to be brought to the ballot. but what are we going to do with the people that are on probation for marijuana crimes? Its 2012 and we are still locking people away for petty marijuana crimes. ruining peoples lives over a plant that grows wild. sounds likea waste of money.

Marijuana should be legal. If two states can get it legalized why can't the rest of us enjoy it without being considered criminals or drug addicts. I believe as Americans and marijuana enthusiasts we should join together and start a petition to get Amendment 64 brought to Georgia and other states. We should have a say since when we're living in this state whether it's right or wrong, cause if you think about it marijuana isn't a drug, you don't need chemicals to break it down, it's not made in a laboratory, or some guys bathroom. It's grows in the ground and not one person has died from the use of marijuana unlike; meth, crack, cocaine, speed, ecstasy, and LSD. Alcohol and cigarettes have more effect on your body, and the government still found a way to tax it. I just think they should honestly reconsider there thoughts and think of the positives not just the negatives..

Marijuana being illegal while cigarettes and alcohol are legal is pure hypocrisy. I'm with Stefan. It should be bought to the people so we can decide. And I'm not the kind of person to just sit back and wait for someone else to do all the heavy lifting. I know there have to be people here in Georgia who are actively trying to get this done. As of this moment, I'm going to make it my job to find them. And if I can't find them, I will start the process myself. If you want to help in my quest or find out what I find out, hit me up: legalizeitgeorgia@hotmail.com.

I think it should be legalized for recreational use in the great state of Georgia. Our forefathers smoked cannibis, why can't we? I have smoked for 10 yrs, and its never affected my ability to work, drive or raise kids. Alcohol on the other hand is worse. If this goes to ballet, I would be getting everyone I know to vote yes for recreational use. "Atleast let us be stoned while we endure the economic crisis ." ~In~

I think that this a great thing in many aspects.1 of them being that it will generate millions to the state which will intern boost the economy and create jobs which we all need. Even if you keep it illegal we as people are still going to do it why not let it benefit The Us economy with taxing it.. right now we have 45bill in the whole if all states passed it at 10s of millions in each state each year we can eat up that defisit,It also creates jobs which will help our economy as well... for those of yall reading this i plan on Running for Ga govener when i turn 30 my plans are to turn ga around and make it big profit as well as The us... Marijuanna is not a bad drug but wouldnt it be nice if Law enforcement was more worried about the killer down the street instead of the pot head 2 doors down and making a profit it just seems to make way to much since to me....

I vote yes!!!

I vote yes as well, I do believe that alcohol is more dangerous, and guess what it's legal, it can cause liver disease, vomit, hangover, and so on. Marijuana is a living plant that grows naturally, not with chemicals, and yes I also believe it will help the economy and go ahead tax the hell out of it, and of course it does help with my anxiety attacks. But we should for the state of Georgia have weed legalized, it's a calming substance, not a narcotic or drug and plus you don't have all the side affects and risk of prescription drugs or have the hangover the next day, if anything take alcohol away!

i agree yes as well. the only person ive ever met to say no is my mother. lucky me, being a teenager and all.

Hello, I am a small video blog in the Atlanta area and I'm looking for someone to do an on-air interview about their views on the legalization of marijuana. Doesn't matter how you feel about it, just would like to get your opinion. I can be reached at undercurrentatlanta@gmail.com.

I vote yes!!! I was a hard core smoker for almost 10 years until i got put on probation for ONE JOINT! even though i dont smoke anymore and dont intend to smoke until I'm off probation so i can STICK IT TO THE MAN! after that, im not smoking anymore but its not like i dont care or not if its legal. i still think it should be legal because it would make the state so much more money by the taxing of marijuana and by saving probably millions of dollars to fund resources for law enforcement to keep it out of the state, which will NEVER happen. The government are hypocrites because alcohol is legal and people die everyday from driving under the influence and alcohol poisoning. Who posting in here has ever head of someone wrecking or overdosing after smoking marijuana? Nobody because its never happened! Thank you! If anyone in here knows of a petition to sign for Georgia's legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, please email me at chrisfincher@gmail.com. Thanks : )-

LEGALIZE IT!!!! At one time marijuana was Americas #1 cash crop.....then came that doofus with REEFER MADNESS in all his ignorance. Ive never seen a pothead rob his mom to buy reefer or steal things from friends/family members to support his habit.....It can provide everything FROM ONE PLANT such as rope, medicine, textiles etc. if we were to allow it to be legalized & tax it, I bet we could have our national debt paid off in a decade or less!!! Its a much more sound financial solution that what Ive heard Washington come up with.......just sayin'.

I hate when people say marijuanna i a gateway drug...its not... Money hungry drug dealers can easily put (crack, cocaine etc) in your bud. they do that to get you hooked and comming back for more. Cause more than likely they are the only people around that sell that stuff. Marijuana is way more hazardous illgal than it would be if it was legalized

I would vote Yes!

Is everyone nuts!!! Pot is different from alcohol!!!!! It takes a certain amount of drinking to getting u drunk. But with one joint u can be stoned. We have enough death on the highway with drunks!! Now u want to put stoners on the highway! Its not worth the extra money for the states. This stuff effects peoples lives. I have seen it make parents neglect their kids and loose their jobs. Yes alcohol can do this too but pot does it as soon as you start smoking it. People get real!!! There's nothing good about legalizing marijuana!!!

Wow ms Mare, you should do just a lil research and find a good therapist. I'm not a smoker or a drinker but I have enough common sense to know that jus 1 shot of hard whiskey will get you buzzed and a whole joint of "dirt weed" will do nothing but burn your throat. No one wants to put drunks or stoners on the highways and marijuana is a well known proven medicine so you need to quit using pathalogical adversions to honesty and integrity to prey on fear and ignorance.

When I think of how expensive a pack of cigarettes have become (and I've never been a smoker), I wonder who is benefiting from that high taxation? Depending on the significance of taxation and a good plan to allocate the revenue generated, legalization should be heavily considered. This would included legislation constructed by true representation of the people and some reformed drug dealers giving insightful perspective into a business hopefully none our lawmaker know nothing about. People with bad intentions and gateway users of marijuana would most likely be weeded out (no pun intended) through the beneficial cost increase, massive marketing campaigns, and logistic construction. In other words, it would no longer be a secret or exclusive and it would become even more expensive. A $10 joint with a 95% profit margin would draw a very significant line in the sand and feed a lot of hungry people. The crime involved with its illegality decreases and maybe more kids will graduate from high school and get to go to and stay in college. More of their parents will gain employment significant enough to replace the option of Welfare. Maybe universal healthcare becomes less of an issue because the fields of 'Herb' and the revenue generated from them pay for everything...... The flip side. Marijuana impairs the mind's desire to be ambitious. Crime may decrease because no one's in the mood to rob, steal and kill... but nor will they be moved to learn, work or live.

Obviously mr Hank hasn't met any pot head honor students, doctors, lawyers, professors etc.
Junk food, a couch and television also can impair the mind's desire to be ambitious.

And God shall provide. It's Man that decides what leaf we can, and what leaf we can't smoke. Tobacco is grown, chemicalized, taxed and supports a vast medical community from research to the medical treatment needed to cure the harmful and often fatal effects of that leaf. The other leaf can make no such claim. If it was not intended that we smoke this leaf, then why did the good Lord put it here? If He didn't feel that we would one day need it He would have left it out of His creation plan and would have had the opportunity to rest on the sixth day rather than the seventh.

Yes, i started at a young age 13 y.o.now 58
I believe now i was too young. Don't have a problem with adults 21 y.o. toking everynow and then. Never saw anyone beating up one another on any Cheech and Chong movies

I thing marijuana should be treated like alcohol and tabaco. We are spending way to much money for incarsaration of user. We should come up with a law that allow growing up to 6 plants for personal use. Also have marijuana shop like smoke shops where you can buy for personal use. The DUI should be the same as alcohol, come up with a fair amount and the person should be charged to the fullest of the law.
People be real and smoke at home!!!! It is like alcohol, do it at home and don't bother any body else!! that all will be cool!

Yes, for sure. As many others have already said, it's a great chance for our economy to become more stable and the decriminalization will keep those guilty of petty marijuana crimes out of jail, which means that law enforcement will spend more time and that money on the look out for those who actually -need- to be in jail. It's also a great treatment for chronic pains associated with arthritis and lupus and an incredible list of other diseases, AND smoking marijuana is far less toxic than the medications that may be prescribed for the pain and inflammation of those diseases.( Marijuana isn't going to make your hair fall out, ruin your immune system, destroy your skin, etc, like chemo meds and severe NSAIDs will.) People who are saying that the decriminalization of pot will just result in "more stoners on the road" or wherever need to realize that in a way, pot should be treated as if it were alcohol... Obviously, you shouldn't pop open a beer on the highway and neither should you light up a joint. If you are not sober, don't go out. Don't put yourself in a situation where you or any others could be harmed. Undoubtedly there will be a handful of those who are ignorant and will smoke pot on the road or before/during driving, but guess what? There are going to be ignorant people who will drive inebriated, whether it be due to alcohol or any other drug, and even now there are people who drive stoned. I doubt making it legal will increase idiots on the road by too much.

heck yea they should legalize it everywhere. How many people do you know that has smoked a joint get in a car and kill someone driving??? I dont know anyone. I know several that has wrecked or died by drinking and driving. Also it would bring in so much money. My xgfs dad got locked up for trafficing weed. he got more years in prison than a child molestor

The legalization of marijuana will not only benefit the people who desperately need it for medical uses, but it will also keep our children AWAY from it. You'd think that it would do the oposite, but look at the facts. Its easier for our kids (18 and younger) to buy marijuana off the streets than it is for them to buy beer and tobacco because of the fact that it is LEGAL, taxed, and regulated. Our state has a huge concern for its youth using the drug. But I ask, why don't we make it difficult for them to buy it?.. make it legal.

I BEG for the doubters of marijuana use as a recreational or medical drug to please do their research before becoming so ignorant. I completely understand their ignorance for I was just as ignorant as they are right now. I thought marijuana made you stupid, lazy, violent, and worst of all; that it kills you. But I've done my research - for quite sometime infact. I saw no harmful or even fatal side effects of its use. Its putting so many innocent tax payers in jail. I pray that America is not benefiting off of arresting their innocent citizens. Because if so, we're headed down a dark dark road as a nation.

It falls into the influence of the corupt gangster aliance of the FDA and pharma who do everything possible to control multi billions $$$ with a sadistic iron fist like for example keeping proven cancer cures like Antineoplastons off the public market while millions of children suffer and die every year. Our president is well aware of this monsterous coruption but he is also at the mercy of big corporations.

the fact that it is not legal is infuriating. im in a new town and have no dealer, so ive been completely drug and alcohol free for months. watching my family members (none of which have ever smoked cannabis) sit back and have a few drinks and seeing my dad constantly chewing nicorette, i realize how destructive the nature of alcohol and legal drugs can be compared to marijuana. I have trouble sleeping because i prefer not to drink myself out or use sleeping aids that make me tired for the entire next day. i am a human, so sometimes i have to unwind... i just prefer to do it in a way that is less destructive (and more enjoyable) than alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical drugs. cannabis users have been suffering for far too long and i am MAD.

The same people (mentality) that support marihuana prohibition also support prison privatizations, out lawing abortion rights for rape victims, mandatory christian prayer in public schools, the 10 commandments in public buildings, corporal punishment in schools and now they want teachers to be allowed to carry fire arms. If we are not able to get these extreme right wingers under control very soon, we are seriously looking down the barrel of some police states and our constitutional rights going down the toilet.

Hey vote it in in ga nobody dis respect that if it happens u got people who disrespect it like on the news smoken on tv that's fucken stuiped ejoy it at ur house

So where is the petition? Give me a link and I and my fiance would be more than happy to sign it.

from,wheelman58.i have 13 broken vertebra in my spine.and all the pain that goes with that.i have been taking oxycontin 80m 4 times a day.oxycodine 30m 4 times a day.robaxin 500m 3times a day.meloxicam7.5 2 times a day for 7yrs.these drugs have side affects that are unreal.they are all legal and regulated by a drug clinic.they cost my insurance around $2500.00 a month.i could replace all these drugs with 1 oz. of medical marijuana. for less than $200.00 a month and no side affects.

Yes, legalizing it would bring more money to the State for one. 2nd, people wouldn't have to get sick smoking that fake weed sold in stores. 3rd, if people do it responsibly at home, stay out of trouble and no driving afterwards. Then let people enjoy it to relax. It's going to happen sooner or later like beer did for Sunday store sales. Just like Sunday bootleggers are now out of business. Weed dealers will be out of business. No more sneeking to get it or smoke it. Weed been around before we was born and it will be here after us. It's a new 2013 year, so get on the ball Georgia like the other States. WWWWWWOOOOOO!!!

On a very personal note. My son (US Army) returned from Iraq & Afghanistan with PTSD. I didn't know anything about PTSD, thought it was a myth or could be cured with drugs (my ignorance). For those of you that think you know what that is like I will give you an example you can think about. Imagine you are in your car about to start it and leave the mall. Now imagine someone unknown to you jerks the door open and shoves a gun in your face. That feeling when you mind fills with all those chemicals that cause the fight or flight reaction is what my son feels like all the time, 24/7. And it will never go away. He's 27, married, has a child on the way, and is disabled from this. Daniel has an IQ of 166, was a combat instructor, showed valor in combat, was well respected by the men he commanded (still is), and had a very bright future. He deserves better. The best results from any drug has been to simply smoke pot. Many studies show it is in many cases the only hope. I never liked it myself, but making it legal, clean it up, regulate it, and tax it, seems like a great idea to me. I've heard the arguments pro and con. It has many benefits and should be accepted and available. Here is a respected study. Alzheimer;s, Parkinson's, and many more.

http://veteransformedicalmarijuana.org/content/general-use-cannabis-ptsd-symptoms

Here are some more.
http://rxmarijuana.com/pstd.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/cpl-sean-azzariti-marine-_n_2039234.html

I would vote yes there is to much money wasted on people in jail for something that is not near as bad as alcohol.

Bottom line... we can't allow anything to interfere with our pharmaceuticals and alcohol sales. We must have faith in our FDA because they love of soo much.

And let's not even go into the ridiculous big corporation coruptions of opiates. Everyone knows that we should jus laugh, ignore and pray and everything will work itself out. Otherwise it would just be "taken out of context" or some kind of "insane conspiracy".

LOL...We think a lot alike Ken. Ga. is a very RED state and the ignorant right wing bible thumpers will keep us stupid just as long as they possibly can.

Yes, Marijuana should be legal , many people need it for certain reasons, I think the reason why some people dont want it legalized is because they dont know about it . People judge marijuana based on false facts that they pick up from several places . I am in the Atlanta area and i support the legalization of marijuana in the state of Georgia and i am willing to help all who are trying to get it legalized.