Georgia Democratic state Sen. Curt Thompson has introduced a measure to legalize cannabis for recreational use in the state, WSB-TV2 reports. Thompson estimates that a taxed-and-regulated cannabis economy could bring in $340 million a year in tax revenues.
This isn’t the first time that Thompson has introduced adult-use legislation; however, he indicated that this is the first time he has gained any co-sponsors to the measure, which would amend the state’s constitution to allow for cannabis legalization.
“When I first started this, I was the only sponsor. There’s now six sponsors on the retail bill. There’s about 17 or 18 on the medicinal marijuana statute.” – Thompson to WSB-TV2
Thompson acknowledges that legalization is an uphill battle in the deep south, but that “historical” and national “political trends” are on the side of cannabis reforms.
The chances of legalization in Georgia are slim. The Legislature is controlled by conservative Republicans and it’s an election year, which will likely prevent most lawmakers from supporting what is viewed as controversial legislation. Moreover, all of the bill’s co-sponsors are Democrats, which will make it harder to gain traction in either legislative chamber.
The measure has been moved to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.