(APN) ATLANTA — As next year’s General Assembly legislative session quickly approaches in Georgia, Atlanta Progressive News is taking a look back on what took place under the Gold Dome earlier this year, in 2015, updating the Legislative Scorecard we first published in 2014. We again rated State House Representatives and State Senators representing areas wholly or partially in […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — The Wednesday, October 28, 2015 meeting of the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis heard testimony from law enforcement officials, the Georgia Pharmacy Association, and a medical cannabis security specialist. The high point of the day was when Rick Allen, Director of the Georgia Drug and Narcotic Agency, mentioned the State of Connecticut has rescheduled cannabis from […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — On Tuesday, October 20, 2015, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) held a Minority Medical Cannabis Commission Hearing to gather information and recommendations from their community. Minorities testified on how consistently the door has been shut to their participation in the legislative process related to medical cannabis in Georgia. Not one Black doctor is on […]
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With additional reporting by Matthew Charles Cardinale. (APN) ATLANTA — 2015 was a watershed year for the LGBTQI equality movement in the U.S., with the ruling of the Supreme Court of the U.S. in favor of same-sex marriage as a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution. But LGBTQI advocates lament that the State of Georgia has a long […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — The Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis–the purpose of which is to study the feasibility of in-state medical cannabis cultivation in Georgia–held its second meeting, August 26, 2015 in the Coverdell building next to the State Capitol in downtown Atlanta. Three more meetings are planned before the end of this year. As previously reported by Atlanta Progressive […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — The Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis–created by the General Assembly as part of a compromise with Gov. Nathan Deal, to explore in-state medical cannabis cultivation–met at the State Capitol on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 to discuss guidelines to access medical cannabis in Georgia. One featured speaker was Brenda Fitzgerald, MD,, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — At the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Hearing on Tuesday, February 03, 2015, State Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon) introduced HB 1, a revised version of last year Haleigh’s Hope. The bill offers immunity for those who have obtained the oil from a state where it is legal to manufacture and sell the cannabis oil, but does not […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Once again, Georgia will be among many U.S. states considering medicinal cannabis, or marijuana, in 2015. Up for consideration in Georgia are a total of three pre-filed bills: State Rep. Allen Peake’s (R-Macon) House Bill 1, and State Sen. Curt Thompson’s Senate Bill 7 and Senate Resolution 6. SB 7 and HB 1 are medicinal marijuana […]
Read more(APN) ATLANTA — At the Monday, November 24, 2014 Meeting of the Community Development/Human Resources Committee of the City Council of Atlanta, a new proposed ordinance for Affordable Housing Impact Statements received a first reading. APN’s News Editor–the present writer–drafted the ordinance, in consultation with Chairman Andre Dickens (Post 3-at-large), as part of a law school paper, through Gonzaga University […]
Read more(APN) ATLANTA — In this year’s General Election, along with a state constitutional amendment that would cap the income tax rate at six percent, voters in Georgia will have a chance to vote on a second constitutional amendment question and a referendum. http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/interspire/news/2014/09/17/income-tax-cap-referendum-if-passed-takes-progressivity-off-table.html SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT QUESTION The second constitutional amendment question deals with reckless driving fees […]
Read more(APN) ATLANTA — At the Monday, September 15, 2014, Full Council Meeting, the City Council of Atlanta passed a resolution, 14-R-4121, sponsored by Councilman Michael Julian Bond (Post 1-at-large) expressing the support of the City of Atlanta for a 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S., clarifying that U.S. Congress has the authority to limit campaign contributions. Mayor Kasim […]
Read more(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond (Post 1-at-large) plans to introduce a resolution calling for a 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, at the Tuesday, September 02, 2014 Full Council Meeting. The Constitutional Amendment, if adopted and ratified, would clarify that U.S. Congress has the authority to enact campaign contribution limits. The resolution […]
Read more(APN) ATLANTA — The first of five hearings of the Georgia Medical Cannabis Joint Study Committee was held at the Georgia State Capitol, on August 27, 2014. Three expert witnesses were invited to speak: Paige Figi and Matt Cook from Colorado; and James Bell, Executive Director of Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform and Education (CARE), from Atlanta. […]
Read more(APN) ATLANTA — HB 837, which would expand authority for private probation companies, was passed by the House (105 to 62) and Senate (35 to 17) and has been sent to the Governor awaiting his signature to become law. Gov. Deal has until April 29 to sign or veto the law; if he does nothing, the bill […]
Read more(APN) ATLANTA — The City of South Fulton legislation, HB 704, failed to pass the State Senate this year, despite having previously passed the House and a State Senate Committee. This was surprising to some. Being backed by State Rep. Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta), it seemed like HB 704 would sail through considering the kind of support Lindsey has […]
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