Democratic Senator Unveils Plan For Full Legalization Of Marijuana

Not being deterred by a Republican-controlled legislature, Sen. Thompson is forging ahead with a total legalization plan.

He wants to let voters decide whether to decriminalize the drug for adults. His plan would also create a state licensing authority to oversee the growth, distribution and sale of marijuana. It would also let the state and local governments tax the drug and collect fees from marijuana retailers.

Thompson says his proposal is comprehensive and would bring big money to Georgia.

“It would bring an incredible amount of additional tax revenue at a time when we’re in desperate need of that for both education and roads,” Thompson says. “And you could deal with criminal justice issues, you could deal with regulatory issues that would affect human trafficking.”        

The bill is unlikely to pass this year in a legislature where a number of Republicans and Gov. Nathan Deal have said they’re against legalizing recreational marijuana. But Thompson says even if it takes several years, he’s in it for the long haul.

“You do have to start somewhere, and I think it’s always better to do the right thing rather than the convenient thing,” Thompson says.

In the meantime, several Republican Senators are proposing a clinical trial for cannabis oil for those under age 18 with seizure disorders. The trials would be administered by the University System of Georgia.

The legislation is much narrower than a House version, which would legalize the oil for Georgians with nine medical conditions, including seizure disorders.

Currently, two children in Augusta are taking part in a trial that’s being overseen by Georgia Regents University. Another clinical trial by Georgia Regents is supposed to include 50 children.