East Point, Georgia has officially become the 13th city in the state to decriminalize marijuana possession.
Under the new law those caught possessing up to an ounce of marijuana would, at most, receive a $75 fine or equivalent value of community service, while having no possibility of jail time.
The law was approved by the East Point City Council last week in a unanimous vote. The ordinance is nearly identical to a marijuana ordinance passed in Atlanta and several other Georgia cities.
East Point joins Camilla as Georgia cities that decriminalized marijuana in 2023.
The ordinance notes that among its intents is to “prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system and avoiding the enduring stigma associated therewith”. The ordinance also states it will reduce “the amount of time police officers spend in connection with the arrest, processing and transportation of those accused of simple marijuana possession.”
Earlier this month the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sent a letter to dozens of Georgia pharmacies planning to sell medical marijuana products, telling them that doing so would be breaking federal law and put them in a position to face persecution.
In October State Representative Eric Bell (D), along with a coalition of activists and industry leaders, announced new legislation designed to reform the state’s marijuana laws.
