Legalizing Marijuana? Here's What North Fulton's Saying

Since we told you about a movement to legalize marijuana in Georgia, Patch readers have had plenty to say on the topic.

Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education, or Georgia CARE, a project of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance Inc., wants to change the state's laws on marijuana, eventually leading to a complete legalization of the drug. The group is participating in the first Southern Cannabis Reform Conference this weekend in Atlanta.

Our post, Question of the Week: Should Marijuana be Legalized, received more than 85 comments as of Wednesday. Here's what some Patch readers in North Fulton had to say: 

Julie Schwartz I'm with the legalize it, decriminalize it, tax it, with luck get rid of the "fake" stuff which is even more harmful to the body. Give the same driving under the influence laws as alcohol. Wonder what the taxes would do for our economy?

Bailey "As a pothead I can honestly say: none of me or my pothead friends have ever texted, twittered or any other stupid distracting things (that many people do while sober) in the car while driving on the roadways. Even as a pothead I know that THAT, is a stupid idea," in response to Hal Schneider's comment, "Yes, what we need is to add potheads, texting and tweeting, to our roadways along with the drunks! What a brilliant idea!"

R Davis "It should be legalized, taxed and treated the same as alcohol. Grow it, smoke it, just don't drive under its influence. It would reduce border violence, provide useful tax revenue and decrease the burden on the legal system."

Jaz Lady "Hal, many of us are victims of impaired drivers. But, this law isn't going to encourage people to break the law. People who are not responsible when driving are not going to become less responsible if marijuana should be legalized. It will still be illegal to be under the influence of marijuana and get behind the wheel of a car. The benefit, aside from its sizable tax revenues is that much of the crime that comes with it being illegal would stop, tax payers would no longer have to pay to house those in jail, people in jail (long term) for issues that never should have taken them there (focus should be on putting violent'/dangerous criminals in jail and those suffering from the painful effects of cancer and other debilitating illness can have less costly & readily available forms of relief. [Tobacco] farms have been long awaiting the opportunity to grow this crop along with smaller growers. Legalize and tax it!" 

Thomas Wayne Shelton Happy to see so many in favor of legalizing ... prohibition didn't work for alcohol and I'm hoping to see the war on drugs end soon.

Do you agree? Should marijuana be legal in Georgia? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below to continue the conversation.