For years, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana in Athens as part of our Freedom Fund’s campaign to address mass incarceration. Many Athenians, particularly Black and brown Athenians, had been arrested and incarcerated with no bond for simple possession charges.
On August 2nd, along with several other community organizations, the AADM rallied at Athens’ City Hall in support of the passage of an ordinance that would decriminalize marijuana. Later in the meeting, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission passed the ordinance, a huge victory for people advocating for smarter drug policy, marijuana users, and racial minorities who are disproportionately punished for minor drug possessions.
Under the ordinance, possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is considered a citation-worthy offense rather than one that mandates incarceration and is punishable by a fine of $35.
The passage of this ordinance is vital for keeping more people out of jail, especially minorities that are more severely punished by minor drug possessions. It also serves to normalize conversations around drug policies that are community-focused rather than punitive. While this ordinance did not meet all of the AADM’s and fellow advocates’ demands (originally, commissioners proposed a $1 fine, but were legally bound to charge a $35 minimum), it represents an important step towards legalization.
Our work is not over.
While it has been decriminalized in Athens-Clarke County, marijuana is still illegal in the state of Georgia. Furthermore, because the ordinance that passed is a local ordinance, it only applies to land in Athens-Clarke County. This means that state lands, such as UGA, and other surrounding counties, such as Oconee County, follow the stricter state laws regarding marijuana. Possession of an ounce or less of marijuana in the state of Georgia is punishable by up to 12 months of incarceration and up to a $1,000 fine.
State-wide legalization is the ultimate goal for advocates of smarter drug policy, and city-wide ordinances are some of the first steps needed to create greater change.