October 9th, Last Day to Register
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 5, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
This is “crunch-time” if you have not registered to vote. The November General Election is only a month away and, to be eligible to vote for governor and other officials on November 6th, you must be registered by Tuesday, October 9th. Early voting and absentee in-person voting begins October 15th and ends October 31st. The last day an absentee ballot can be mailed to you is November 2nd. For those who cannot vote during week-days, polls will be open Saturday, October 27th.
I cannot overstate the importance of your vote in November. The passage or defeat of critical issues depends on what happens that day. In-state cultivation of marijuana will be adopted or rejected by legislators who are elected on November 6th. The new governor could be faced with having to veto or sign marijuana bills that could destroy the soul of the state.
Georgia State Law: Possessing one ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in prison and a fine up to $1,000; possessing between one ounce and ten pounds is a felony subject to 1-10 years prison; penalties increase for larger amounts. However, four local governments drastically reduced penalties for marijuana possession in their jurisdictions.Local ordinances: In July 2016, the City of Clarkston authorized a $75 fine and no jail time for possessing under an ounce of marijuana. In October 2017 Mayor Reed signed a City of Atlanta ordinance after the City Council, unanimously, reduced the penalty to a $75 fine and no jail time for having an ounce or less of marijuana. This year in March, the City of South Fulton reduced to $150 the fine for possessing small amounts of marijuana. In June this year, Fulton County Commissioners authorized a $75fine and no jail time for having under an ounce of marijuana in the Fulton Industrial District.
Since Clarkston authorized arresting officers to choose whether to charge offenders under state or local law, lawsuits for inconsistency may be the result, and a clash of authorities may be inevitable.
So far, the General Assembly has rejected legalizing recreational marijuana, but Georgia is one of 23 states that legalized other forms, such as “medical marijuana.” Eight states and Washington, D.C. legalized recreational marijuana, despite warnings about addiction and abuse. It’s important for us to understand that opposition to legalizing marijuana is not only a war on drugs, it is an attempt to protect the brain-power of the population. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I for good reasons. There is overwhelming evidence that it is addictive and has a high-risk for abuse. Although Georgia legalized cannabis oil for medicinal purposes, its medical efficacy has not been proven. Please vote only for candidates who will oppose any weakening of Georgia’s marijuana laws. For Georgia Insight, I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.