Category: Athens GA

    Marijuana advocates continue to press case with Athens-Clarke County

    Our affiliate, Athens C.A.R.E. Project continues to push for some form of marijuana decriminalization in Athens-Clarke County GA.  Headed by UGA student Josh Wayne, Athens C.A.R.E. has been attending commission meetings seeking reform. Here is the latest news on their efforts.

    True to their word, a group of young advocates for local liberalization of marijuana possession laws rolled into City Hall for Tuesday’s meeting of the Athens-Clarke County Commission, once again arguing for a “parallel ordinance” allowing police officers the discretion to determine whether someone found in possession of marijuana should simply be cited and fined, or arrested and taken to jail.

    “We’re not going to give up,” one of the young people told commissioners Tuesday. Since March, the group, affiliated with the Athens Campaign for Access, Reform and Education — part of Georgia C.A.R.E., a group working to “end marijuana prohibition in Georgia” — has been a regular presence at the commission’s monthly voting meeting.

      Athens Human Rights Festival – Marijuana is a Human Right

      Georgia C.A.R.E. Project director James Bell will be speaking this Saturday at the 37th Annual Athens Human Rights Festival in downtown Athens GA.

      Originally created to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Kent State murders, the Human Rights Festival is a two-day event dedicated to promoting free speech and confronting issues that challenge human rights. Throughout the festival, activists and members of various community, national and global organizations take to the main stage to discuss important social and political topics. In between speakers, live music performances entertain the festival crowd. As always, information booths line the streets, and children’s activities and youth performances are available for our younger attendees.

      The free festival is from 10 a.m.–12 a.m. on Saturday, May 2nd and 2–9 p.m. on Sunday, May 3rd.

      James Bell will be speaking on Saturday May 2nd at 4:30 pm. We hope you can attend!

        UGA Cannabis Forum a big success!

        More than 150 University of Georgia students attended a forum on marijuana decriminalization last night hosted by Georgia C.A.R.E. affiliate Athens C.A.R.E.. Organized by Josh Wayne and his team, the students heard from various cannabis reform activists on plans to lobby for reform in the city of Athens and the state of Georgia. Georgia C.A.R.E. director James Bell said the event was a huge success and was happy with the reception from students.

        “Our goal is to make cannabis reform a real issue to students. This is not a pipe dream. It’s a real effort run by real people who want real change. We are not criminals and the citizen of Georgia should not be treated as criminals”, Bell said.

        DSCN2494This is Athens C.A.R.E.’s second year on campus and the movement continues to grow. More events are planned in the future