Cannabis Awareness Day is designed to bring citizens from across Georgia to the State Capitol to show support for cannabis law reform. In the process, we teach citizens how to advocate for or against a bill, how to meet their legislators (State Representatives & Senators), where to find their offices, and meet fellow activists who support the cause.

Itinerary for Monday 27th:

The event is from 9:00am to 3:00pm and a hearing on Senate Bill 105 will take place at 4:00pm.

Feel free to attend any time during the day you are available. It is recommended that you set aside at least two hours for this event if you are going to attend, so that you have time to speak with people.

Some of us will be attending the Wild Hog Supper at 5:30 at the Depot. Take into consideration the hearing at 4:00 could run past an hour. The meeting room and Depot is only a block apart.

• 9:00am:

We will meet in Room 328 in the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB) at 9am -10am for orientation. CLOB is across the street from the capitol on the south side. You will need a photo ID to enter these buildings. For those who have no experience at the Capitol, we will show you around and help you locate your legislator.

You can also do your homework and find the name and photo of your legislators. See Below.

• 1:00 Lunch:

We will gather at the Sloppy Floyd Cafeteria for lunch – lower floor. Pay your way. It has a good selection of sandwiches, salad bar, and other selections ranging from $5 to $10. A snack bar is available on  the 1st floor of the capitol. We recommend you BRING BOTTLED WATER.

Tips for Talking with Legislators:

1. Do not be negative, argumentative, or behave angrily toward the legislator. This behavior will only give them a reason to ignore your request.
2. Don’t identify yourself as being with a group or Georgia CARE Project. It may predispose the legislator to bias in regard to your statements. Identify yourself as a citizen activist. Because you are not being paid, this is completely factual.
3. You will only have a few minutes to speak. Try to be concise. Incorporate the story of someone affected personally by the laws if you can, as this speaks louder than facts sometimes.
4. Make a clear statement about how you want them to vote before you say goodbye. Don’t forget!
5. Report back to us about any conversations with legislators so we can learn and share as needed.

Legislation we support:

• House Resolution 36: Public Vote on in-state cultivation (2018)
• House Bill 65: Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill
• House Bill 465: Industrial Hemp Experimental Crop Research and Commission
• Senate Bill 105: Marijuana Decriminalization (Harm Reduction)

Legislation we oppose:

• Senate Bill 16: Reduces THC limits in Low THC Oil to 3% from 5%

Talking Points:

There are several bills we are supporting. We only want to express our support for the bill and offer a short explanation why. If they have time to engage you in conversation you can further explain why. If they oppose the bill, be polite and encourage their support for the bill. Move on.

Office to Office:

We plan on delivering an information packet to as many offices as possible. Especially to those sitting on committees that will hear our bills.

Parking (See Map):

• Parking is available in the area. It is recommended that you use the parking decks or the lot closest to the CLOB .

The Underground Atlanta Parking deck is just west of the capitol  75 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., SW Atlanta, GA 30303 . This deck is suggested if you are attending the Wild Hog Supper that evening at the Rail Road Depot – 5:30. FEE -by the hour. Pay on exit.

Pete Hackney Parking Deck 62 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30303. Cheapest $5 flat rate pay on entry. Follow the signs at the elevator to use the walking bridge to the Sloppy Floyd Twin Towers Building on the north side of capitol.

Liberty Plaza Parking Lot – Capitol Ave. located on the southeast side of the capitol. This may be the most convenient parking at $10 (pay station) if space is available. Look for the Flags and Liberty Bell. A flagman is usually there flagging in customers. It is just steps away from the capitol.

The post 2017 5th Annual Cannabis Awareness and Lobby Day appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

The post Marijuana Decrim Rally at Athens City Hall appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

Help End Marijuana Prohibition – Georgia H.E.M.P. Tour 2015

September 30 – 7:00 pm– 3rd Anniversary Georgia C.A.R.E. Project
Mellow Mushroom -Peachtree St. – Live Music “The Daily Miracle”
Pay your way – Donations Accepted – T-Shirts $10.00

October 11 – 11:00 am – Atlanta Pride Parade – Host LP of GA
Civic Center MARTA Station – Step Off 1:00 pm
FREE – Bring Banners/Signs Supporting Legalization

October 12 – 1:00-3:00 pm – GA. C.A.R.E. Project Fundraiser – Host, Liberty America
“Athens Pizza” 1341 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033
$25 Unlimited Pizza, Salad, Soft Drinks

October 19 – 6:00 pm – GCSU / Campus / Area Affiliate Meeting
Meet-Up – Organize – Network (TBA)
231 W Hancock St, Milledgeville, GA 31061

October 24 – 4:00 pm – Athens Ga. Meet-Up – Host, Athens C.A.R.E. Project
295 1/2 E Broad St, Athens, Georgia
Live Music – Speakers – Network

October 27 – 6:00-9:00 pm Hogansville / LaGrange / West Point Meet-Up
Hunter’s Bar & Grill 1875 East Main Street Hogansville, GA
Pay your way – Donations Welcomed

October 28 – 5:00 – 7:00 pm – U. of West Georgia / Carrollton (TBA)
1601 Maple St, Carrollton, GA 30118

October 29 – Kennesaw State University (TBA)
1000 Chastain Rd, Kennesaw, GA 30144

The post Dates Set for Georgia H.E.M.P. Tour appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

The post James Bell on 11 Alive News appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

National polls show 58 percent now support legalizing and 80 percent indicate support for medicinal marijuana.

This shift in attitude toward cannabis comes after twenty states and the District of Columbia enacted medical marijuana laws and Colorado and Washington voted to legalize.

But what about Georgia? Will Georgia follow suit and reform its harsh laws? Georgia activists say yes, but it will take considerable work to educate the legislature and motivate the public to get more involved. One thing is certain, the movement to reform these laws in Georgia is growing. The legislature will address this issue at some point.

The General Assembly did address the medical marijuana issue in the past. In 1980 Georgia was one of the first states to pass a medical marijuana research act. The law allowed the use of marijuana for cancer therapy and glaucoma. But smoking the federal government’s harsh “ditch weed” was intolerable for many and the pharmaceutical form of THC was more palatable. The program is no longer active. Georgia has lost more than 30 years of medical research and we could have been a pioneer in cannabis therapeutics.

A major factor in the increase in public support for cannabis was the documentary “Weed” by the renowned surgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta. This ground breaking exposé opened the eyes and hearts of millions of viewers to the miracle medicine called cannabis.

On the criminal justice front Georgia has enacted certain law reform measures in an attempt to reduce the number of non-violent offenders in the prison system but has ignored the issue of marijuana laws reform.

Georgia has some of the most Draconian marijuana laws in the nation with penalties up to ten year in prison for more than one ounce. With nearly 30,000 arrests each year the harm done to our citizens by these laws far exceed any real or perceived harm cause by marijuana.

It’s time Georgia treats marijuana more like wine than plutonium. Not only is marijuana prohibition a civil rights issue, it’s also a money issue – tax dollars. The money we spend on arrest, prosecution and incarceration for a commodity that is known to be far safer than alcohol and tobacco, is money that could be redirected to prevent and enforce real crimes against people.

As an activist I am encouraged by the support I am seeing from the public and even legislators are educating themselves about the topic and are seeking alternative policies.

We can kick start the process by having compassion for the seriously ill and allow them access to a relatively safe medicine that has proven to offer relief from suffering. With the legal states engaged in cannabis therapeutics and research, we have just begun to understand what this plant has to offer.

We have drafted legislation and are seeking support. We encourage the citizens to contact their legislator and begin a dialog on this issue.

With marijuana, Georgia should apply its motto – “Wisdom – Justice – Moderation”.

The post AJC Editorial “Treat Weed Like Wine” by James Bell appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

Today we have much to be thankful for. This week marks the first anniversary of the Georgia CARE Project – and it has been a success!

Twelve months ago Ron Williams and I (James Bell) agreed that Georgia Taxpayers Alliance, Inc. should form this project in an effort to move the cannabis reform issue forward. We saw that 20 states (D.C.) have medical laws and two state had just legalized. It was a sign to us that Georgia should be more engaged in the reform movement. We have accomplished many of our short term goals – take a look…

• A volunteer webmaster who is doing a great job in driving traffic and getting us organized
• Worked with various organizations in an effort to build a coalition around our issue
• Lobbied our legislators and secured some support for reform
• Participated in various public speaking events and forums – conferences / parade / collages
• Raised enough donations to purchase our basic needs – printing / internet / travel / merchandise
• Organizing in several cities around Georgia including a collage affiliate at University of Georgia
• Appeared on several radio & TV programs including Public Radio (WABE) (WRFG) (Cable Access)
• A donation of a new Desk top PC / folding table / banner

We are so thankful for all the support we have gotten from people around the state, nation and even internationally.

People have donated cash, created graphics, distributed literature, wrote letters to lawmakers, made phone calls, and just emailed us and called to say thank you for what we are doing. You have kept us inspired!

We would like to thank Sharon Ravert and Peachtree NORML for their diligence and help in our efforts.

A special thanks to the legislators who were inspired enough to call us and ask ‘how can we help”. We look forward to working with them and building more support.

What once seems a daunting task now seems very real and achievable. It will not be easy and it will not be done as fast as we want it too. But we are willing to dedicate our efforts for as long as it takes to achieve our goals. We hope you will continue to help us!

Now we are preparing for a very busy 2014. We have the momentum to move forward and set our goals even higher. But we need your help!

We have a big wish list which we must share with you. Take a look…

We need the following:

• Monthly pledge of $45.00 to cover our internet connection
• $200 for a new computer monitor
• $300 will buy a Windows Tablet for showing power point presentations and videos
• $400 per month (3 months) to cover expenses for lobbying at the state capitol
• $500 for printing brochures and cards ($500 will purchase 10,000 tri-fold brochures)
• $1000 will buy a line of merchandise that will raise $3000

These are some of the basic needs. We hope you will consider contributing to one of these project.

While we would obviously welcome a $1000 donation, a contribution in any amount would help tremendously.

Also, we are working to organize in your town. If you are willing to be our representative we will help you get organized and hold your first meeting. We are also available for public speaking and media interviews.

Again, we are thankful we have your support. Without you we could not have accomplish what we have. We hope you have a great holiday season and we look forward to continuing our work in 2014.

Perhaps more importantly, we should not forget those who are incarcerated for marijuana and cannot be with their family and friends this holiday season. It is for them that we continue the fight and for ourselves that we will fight for our given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!  

Are you ready for reform? We can do this!

All the best,

James Bell & Ron Williams

Georgia CARE Project – Campaign for Access, Reform & Education

The post It’s our 1st Year Anniversary – Thanks for your support! appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

Wednesday August 7th, Georgia CARE director James Bell is scheduled to be interviewed by WABE / 90.1 FM about the campaign to be aired at a later date.

The post TheWeedBlog Shares Georgia Medical Campaign appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.