summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Code Section 16-13-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conditional discharge for possession of controlled substances as first offense and certain nonviolent property crimes, dismissal of charges, and restitution to victims, so as to authorize counties and municipal corporations to adopt ordinances governing and punishing the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana; to amend Code Section 36-1-20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to ordinances for governing and policing of unincorporated areas of county, so as to authorize counties to adopt ordinances governing and punishing the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Georgia Local Governance and Fair Enforcement Act, allows counties and municipal corporations in Georgia to establish their own ordinances regarding the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. Currently, possession of small amounts of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The new law specifically empowers county governing authorities to create local ordinances that govern and punish marijuana possession within unincorporated county areas, with the maximum fine for such ordinances capped at $1,000. Any fines or bond forfeitures from these local marijuana possession cases will be retained by the county and paid into its treasury. This legislation represents a shift towards localized control of marijuana enforcement, giving individual counties more flexibility in how they handle small-scale marijuana possession, while maintaining consistent maximum penalty limits. The bill modifies existing state law to explicitly allow for this local governance approach to marijuana regulation.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 01/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69338 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/229901 |
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