This letter was delivered Nov 18 2020 to each member of the U.S. House representing Georgia who had not already signed on as co-sponsor of the MORE Act. The letter also provides language for individuals wishing to write or call their own representatives to request support for this groundbreaking legislation.
The members of the Georgia chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Peachtree NORML) request your support for the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act (HR 3884).
The MORE Act removes cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act. The greatest harm associated with cannabis is its prohibition. Most people who consume the plant do so peacefully and harmlessly. Arresting people for consuming the plant – that’s what ruins lives.
Two-thirds of Americans support legalization. Half live in states that have legalized it. Yet, one American every minute is arrested for cannabis possession. Cannabis isn’t what ruins lives. Prohibition is the problem. We in the remaining 12 states with no legal access are looking to you to help us move forward.
As it relates to cannabis and the undue harm created by prohibition, our government has been intellectually dishonest with us for far too long. You have a chance to begin restoring justice.
Georgia’s 697,127 service veterans deserve access to any kind of care a doctor prescribes – especially if it’s an alternative to addictive opiates – without jeopardizing their benefits. Our 40+ medical facilities should be allowed to provide the best, evidence-based care. Superior care includes cannabis access.
Georgia’s farmers and small businesses deserve clarity on the laws governing the sale of a cash crop that’s legal only some of the time.
Millions of individuals saddled with criminal records from victimless cannabis crimes deserve our consideration. Cannabis prohibition has criminalized and stigmatized peaceful people, contributing to unemployment, incarceration, and a cycle of poverty.
Peachtree NORML advocates for change at the state level, and at the local level have seen 11 jurisdictions, including Atlanta, partially decriminalize cannabis or stop enforcement. This progress would be bolstered by a signal from the federal legislature, like the one sent by passing the MORE Act.
Cannabis reform is shamefully overdue – the bill MUST be brought to a full floor vote.
I would be very pleased to meet with you at any location in Georgia, at your convenience, to discuss these critical issues for our state. I’ll even buy the beer or coffee (both more addictive than cannabis).
Please support and consider co-sponsor the nonpartisan legislation, joining the august company of Georgia Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-4) and David Scott, (GA-13) and more than 120 other cross-partisan cosponsors.
Whether or not you choose to cosponsor, please vote YES on the MORE Act (HR 3884) when it comes to the floor vote. Your constituents are relying on you to represent our interests and help end cannabis prohibition. We eagerly await cheering your vote.
Yours in liberty,
The Board and Membership of Peachtree NORML