Political Insider
Political Insider

Prosecutor on Clarkston's pot decriminalization effort: No way

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2015 file photo, lead grower Dave Wilson cares for marijuana plants in the "Flower Room" at the Ataraxia medical marijuana cultivation center in Albion, Ill. Under a bill proposed by Republican state Rep. Dwight Kay, medical marijuana products in Illinois would be required to carry warning labels about possible side effects. Kay says the goal is to treat medical marijuana like other prescription drugs that warn patients about possible adverse effects. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

Credit: Tamar Hallerman

Credit: Tamar Hallerman

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2015 file photo, lead grower Dave Wilson cares for marijuana plants in the "Flower Room" at the Ataraxia medical marijuana cultivation center in Albion, Ill. Under a bill proposed by Republican state Rep. Dwight Kay, medical marijuana products in Illinois would be required to carry warning labels about possible side effects. Kay says the goal is to treat medical marijuana like other prescription drugs that warn patients about possible adverse effects. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
By
April 8, 2016

We told you yesterday about Clarkston's push to become the first city in Georgia to decriminalize marijuana, but the one of the state's leading law enforcement advocates had this to say about the effort: No way.

Our colleague Kristina Torres spoke with Chuck Spahos, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia:

"The only thing I can say about that is no municipal government has the authority to decriminalize anything that the Georgia General Assembly and federal government still say is a crime," he said.

ExploreRead Torres’ full story here.

About the Author

Tamar Hallerman is an award-winning senior reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She covers the Fulton County election interference case and co-hosts the Breakdown podcast.

Follow Tamar Hallerman on twitter
More Stories

The Latest

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., is Joe Biden's choice for a running mate in this year's election. She is making history as the first Black woman and the first Indian American woman on a major party’s presidential ticket. (Anna Moneymaker/The New York Times)

Credit: Anna Moneymaker

FROM 2020

Opinion: Black and Indian girls like me can see themselves in Kamala Harris

PG A.M.: Marjorie Taylor Greene faces backlash in push to oust House Speaker

PG A.M.: Kemp renews support for Trump, GOP ticket ‘from the bottom up’

Featured

Gov. Brian Kemp enteres the Senate at the Capitol in Atlanta on Sine Die, Friday, April 4, 2025, the final day of the legislative session. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Minute-by-minute: How the final day of Georgia’s legislative session unfolded

The Georgia General Assembly is voting on dozens of bills on the last day of the 2025 legislative session, including a $38 billion state budget and changes to election laws.

Jekyll Island Dispatch: Cottage on millionaire’s row escapes ruin

Several historical residences fan out from Georgia's Jekyll Island Club, the former wintertime retreat for America’s wealthiest families. One of them has reopened its doors.

The future looks bright for Buford baseball’s Cannon Goldin

Goldin is a center fielder at Buford High School, a five-tool player who is considered one of the top MLB prospects in Georgia.