From UGAsports.com : Georgia Bulldog sophomore running back Elijah Holyfield was booked into the Athens Clark County jail at 3:33 a.m. ET on two misdemeanor marijuana charges early Monday morning. He was released on on bond approximately 30 minutes later.

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“Not only were the families put in jeopardy, but the police officers were also put in jeopardy because they had no idea who was in the home,” said James Bell with the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance.

It all comes after 19-month-old Bou Bou Phonesavanh was critically injured in the failed drug raid at a Habersham County home last week.

“It’s the duty of the parents to make sure the child’s in a safe environment, and if they’re in any kind of environment where drugs are involved, then obviously, they’re not safe and if the child wasn’t in the home in the first place it would never have happened,” said Matthew Cleveland, a protestor who supports the actions of the deputies.

The deputies used a tactic where they do not knock before entering suspected drug homes.

Those against such tactics said the policies should be changed.

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A Rally for Truth & Justice for Baby BouBou
June 1, 2014 – Atlanta Georgia: In the aftermath of the botched raid that left a child severely injured by a “multi-jurisdictional task force” in Habersham County Georgia, a coalition of citizens and organizations will rally in support of the family and call for state and federal investigations into the conduct of law enforcement officials.
James Bell, a political activist, has notified Habersham County and the City of Clarkesville, GA that citizens will rally in the courthouse park seeking a “redress of grievances” concerning the raid and tactics used.
Where: Habersham County Courthouse Gazebo – Clarkesville, Georgia
When: Saturday June 7 – 11:00am – 1:00 pm
Why: To demonstrate in support of the child and the family and let the world know the citizens of Georgia care about life, liberty and peace in our communities.
“Obviously citizens of Georgia and the nation have been shocked by the actions of a drug task force that left a baby critically injured”, Bell said. “The fact that the task force had no idea who was inside the home or where the suspect was at the time is most disturbing.” Bell continues – “The War on Drugs is a failure and the results are the erosion of our rights as American citizens. The militarization of law enforcement has created a situation where citizens are told to accept the collateral damage in the name of fighting the war. Tossing explosive devices into homes when they have no idea who is inside is unacceptable. We want accountability, we want answers, and we want justice for the child and their family.”
Bell said Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell’s interview with an Atlanta TV station, where he attempted to justify their actions, was embarrassing and left more questions than answers. The Sheriff’s assertion that no investigation into this matter is needed is suspicious.
Purpose of the Rally:
1. To call for a state and federal investigation into this tragedy to determine the facts and hold those responsible accountable.
2. To call for the abolition of “no-knock” warrants except where a life and death situation exists.
3. To call for an end to the War on Drugs as we know it and treat drug use as a health issue not a police matter.
4. To allow the citizens touched by this event to peaceably express their concerns.

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marijuana use might not be as dangerous as some critics of the drug fear

A new study from Emory University researchers looked at federal surveys and states that legalized medical marijuana to evaluate the impact of legalization on marijuana and other drug use. Researchers found medical marijuana legalization led adults 21 and older to use more marijuana, but the increase did not lead people to try harder drugs.

The study has several implications for states that are considering whether to legalize marijuana for recreational or medical purposes. For one, it suggests relaxed marijuana laws can lead to more regular marijuana use, although not among teenagers. But the study also indicates that marijuana use might not be as dangerous as some critics of the drug fear.

The post No, marijuana isn’t a gateway drug appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

According to the Athens Banner Herald, 23-year old Paul Collins Broun III was booked into the jail on a marijuana possession charge and on a charge of failing to obey a traffic signal or traffic signs.

Broun was released from jail on Saturday morning after posting a $1,500 bond.

The post BUSTED! Son of Rep. Paul Broun arrested on marijuana charges appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

“Marijuana is a popular issue around the country right now, and we are here to basically bring public attention to the fact that we are not criminals and people who use marijuana are no more criminal than a person who drinks wine,” said James Bell, director of the Georgia Campaign for Access Reform and Education Project.

The rally was facilitated by the Georgia CARE Project.

Bell said he expected up to 50 people, from different areas of Georgia and other states, to attend the event.

One study found approximately 60 percent of likely voters support marijuana reform, Bell said.

“Public sentiment has changed,” he said. “We believe there is support on our side, and we want to convince our lawmakers that we have got to change these laws.”

The post Georgia CARE Rallies for Marijuana Legalization Athens City Hall appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

DeKalb County Criminal Law Attorneys

Attorneys Andy Cohen and Jill Polster are experienced, aggressive criminal defense lawyers. Polster, a former prosecutor, and Cohen, a career defense attorney, met trying a murder case against each other. They have extensive experience trying everything from misdemeanor drug cases to even the most complicated high-profile capital crimes. This experience gives the firm special insight into the inner workings of the state’s criminal justice system. We have the experience to anticipate the prosecution’s every move and to proactively develop a winning defense strategy.

Our years of criminal defense experience paired with prosecutorial experience means there is no case our attorneys haven’t encountered and no case our firm can’t handle.

At The Cohen Law Firm, we understand the fear and stress caused by a criminal charge. Our attorneys personally invest their time, attention and resources to get our clients the most favorable result possible. We do everything in our power to help our clients defeat their criminal charges.

At The Cohen Law Firm, we fight for your rights, your freedom and your future. Our attorneys have a reputation for being fierce trial attorneys. Prosecutors throughout the state know we aren’t afraid of a courtroom battle and will do whatever is necessary to protect our clients.

Because we are known as lawyers eager to take our clients’ cases to trial, we are often able to highlight weaknesses in the state’s case and use those weaknesses to negotiate the most favorable plea terms possible. While we always consider beneficial plea agreements, we will not compromise our clients’ rights for an “easy deal.” If a plea bargain is not in your best interests, we will go to trial to protect your rights.

If You Have Questions, We Have Answers

At The Cohen Law Firm, we know criminal charges aren’t confined to the 9-to-5. Our attorneys are available to help you when you need it most. If you have been charged with a crime, contact us for a free consultation. Our experienced legal team will answer your most pressing questions.

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“I live with two thirds of my body in severe nerve pain,” Altier said.

Altier told me, his doctors have diagnosed him with a degenerative nerve disorder and spinal injury, and says he hasn’t been given long to live.

“They discovered my body could not tolerate the strong narcotics of morphine…and a whole myriad of other very strong opiates,” he said.

So he showed us prescription bottles for a medicine called Marinol, a legal form of synthetic THC for his pain.

“The name brand is $3700 for a month prescription. For the generic which they came out with probably about eight years ago…it’s $900,” he said.

But after Altier’s partner died, the pills became difficult to afford, so he planted seven marijuana plants on his property and used them to help curb his pain.

The Truetlen County Sheriff’s Office discovered the plants and arrested Altier. He was convicted of marijuana charges and could be sentenced Tuesday to four years in jail.

“There’s a man who could not afford the medication that was prescribed to him, so he’s growing it himself to do what the medication would otherwise do and that makes it a felony,” said Jonathan Morrison, who is representing Altier.

Altier’s neighbor and caregiver Henry Herndon says if he gets the maximum sentence he doesn’t think he’ll survive.

“For as sick as he is to give him four years in prison — that would kill him,” Herndon said.

If Altier doesn’t get the maximum sentence he says he plans to move as soon as possible.

We reached out to Sheriff Thomas Corbin.

He referred questions on the case to Craig Fraser, the county’s district attorney. Fraser did not return our phone calls.

The post Georgia Medical Marijuana Patient Arrested – faces 4 years in prison appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

Personally speaking, I believe all drugs should be legal. People should have the right to do with their bodies what they choose, so long as it does not interfere with the liberties and freedoms of those around them.

It is a misconception that if drugs were legal, use would increase. On the contrary. It simply means that it would put a financial dent in the prison industrial complex. There would be fewer deaths over drug related crimes and the illicit drug trade would grind to a halt.

However, realistically speaking, it is not likely all drugs will be made legal. That being said, to continue the asinine policy of keeping medical hemp out reach for the ill is unconscionable. Those truly in the know realize it is merely to protect the wealth of drug manufacturers and impose the high horse morality of the Christian Right and their sense of righteousness upon others. Corporate greed over American Welfare must cease and individual Liberty must become paramount as it once was.

Also, hemp has a hundred and two uses, but I won’t go into that here. Suffice it to say, anything that competes cheaply is often opposed by big industry. Can you say pulp wood industry? Lastly, if we do nothing else, the war on Blacks and other minorities (formerly called War on Drugs) must be put to rest.

Blacks, comprising 12% of the population account for 38% of the drug related arrests, 59% of those in state prison for a drug offense and make up more than 40% of our prison population.

That in itself is insidious to say the least. The only people victimized by this policy are Blacks, other minorities and poor Whites. No one should ever be sent to prison or have their lives ruined over what they put in their bodies or for addictive behavior. The rich aren’t. If Congress can have their booze, let the rest have their weed.

The post Derrick Grayson – Georgia U.S. Senate Candidate Says YES to Marijuana appeared first on Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education.

Marijuana crime statistics

Marijuana arrest statistics reveal that marijuana possession is a serious offense in Georgia. A 2010 study entitled “The War on Marijuana in Black and White” revealed that Georgia ranks high when it pertains to marijuana drug charges and crimes. For instance, this state was ranked 6^th with about 32,473 arrests. The states which were in the top five were New York, Texas, Florida, California and Illinois. New York ranked number one with more than 100,000 arrests. The same report states that in about half of all states, marijuana possession accounted for more than 90% all marijuana arrests.

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