David Clark, Executive Director

Welcome to the official site of NORML of Georgia, Inc. one of three recognized affiliate NORML chapters in Georgia.  What does NORML mean? the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Who are we?  We are “normal” people who want to change the marijuana laws in Georgia.  Why?

- because we are liberals who believe marijuana frees the mind, but also because we are libertarians who believe the government has no right to prohibit marijuana use!

- because we are patients fighting diseases that are alleviated safely using cannabis, but also because we are perfectly healthy people who want to get high responsibly!

- because we are dyed-in-the-wool Southerners who resent being told what we can and caint do, but also because we are Yankees who want Georgia to be as tolerant as Massachusetts!

In other words – we’re all over the map!  Responsible adults – not just “potheads” – see no point in prohibiting the use of marijuana by adults for recreational, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.  We may all have different reasons, but we want the same result: LEGALIZATION!

Fighting marijuana prohibition in Georgia has been difficult and slow. We’re in the “bible belt.”  Many dedicated activists have been trying to change the laws here for a long time with little to show for it. With the backing of NORML, we will have greater success. NORML has contributed to the successful passage of medicinal marijuana laws in 13 states, with more coming. It is a world-class lobbying and educational organization.

Our immediate legislative goals are as follows:

1. Expanding the existing medical marijuana law in Georgia to include access for AIDS patients, and others who have had cannabis-based medicine recommended by their doctor.
2. Requiring proof of possession of greater than three ounces to support a felony charge of “possession with intent to distribute” marijuana.
3. Making misdemeanor marijuana possession a non-arrest-able, non-jailable offense.
4. Making it illegal to arbitrarily discriminate against medical marijuana patients in employment, housing, reviewing health insurance claims.

PLEASE join NORML of Georgia right now. Send us some money and send me your email. Not only will you be helping yourself, but so many other peaceful, patriotic citizens in our state who just want to use marijuana in peace.

- Dave Clark, Executive Director, NORML of Georgia, Inc. (a non-profit Georgia corporation)

2. “If it’s legal, there will be more DUI drivers on the road.”

3. “If it’s legal, there will be more crime.”

No to ALL THREE. In Amsterdam, where marijuana use is tolerated in coffee shops on the street like Starbucks, the number of kids using pot has declined since legalization. In the 13 states where marijuana has been decriminalized, there has not been an increase in use by teens. Marijuana is not a “gateway drug.” Of the 100 million American adults who have ever tried marijuana, only 3 million of them went on to use dangerous drugs like meth, cocaine, heroin or LSD. That’s a lousy gateway if only 3% get through!

DUI is a real problem, but not because of marijuana.  Marijuana alone has not caused a fatal traffic accident in Georgia.  Marijuana in combination with alcohol impairs driving significantly. If marijuana were legal, more people would switch from alcohol to cannabis and there would be fewer DUIs.  Marijuana enhances inhibitions where alcohol removes inhibitions. Cannabis users are very aware that they are high; drunks think they can do anything.

Marijuana is not physically addictive like alcohol, nicotine and crack cocaine.  While a few people enroll in treatment programs for psychological addiction to cannabis, the great majority of persons checking into treatment for marijuana were ordered by a judge to do so.  Since it is not addictive, people do not rob businesses or burglarize houses to get money to feed their marijuana addiction. Cannabis users who run dry patiently make do until they score some more. Once a responsible business community is established distributing marijuana, paying taxes to the state, and following strict regulations against selling to minors, there will be no market for Mexican or South American marijuana and the violent crime associated with black market turf wars will vanish.