Category Archives: legislation

Medical Cannabis Bill Fails to Pass Georgia Legislature

  (APN) ATLANTA — On Thursday, March 20, 2014, the last day of the Georgia General Assembly, the medicinal cannabis oil bill, HB 885, failed when the Assembly adjourned for the Session without passing the bill.   The night was filled with hope for dozens of parents and other activists who lobbied at the Gold Dome, but ended with deep […]

Read more

South Fulton Cityhood Referendum Passes Senate Committee, Heads to Senate Floor

  (APN) ATLANTA — House Bill 704, to create a referendum on the incorporation of the City of South Fulton, is moving along; and is expected to make the November 2014 ballot this year.   On March 13, 2014, the bill passed the State Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee.   Some amendments were added to the proposal that […]

Read more

Medical Cannabis Bill Approved by Georgia Senate Committee, Heads to Full Senate

  (APN) ATLANTA — The Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved an amended HB 885 the Medical Marijuana bill a/k/a Haleigh’s Hope Act. The amended bill grants immunity from prosecution in Georgia for possession of CBD oil that people  may buy in a state, like Colorado, that legally sells CBD oil.   But transporting it across state lines is […]

Read more

Georgia Medical Cannabis Bill Amended, Heads to House Floor

  With additional reporting by Matthew Charles Cardinale. (APN) ATLANTA — On Wednesday, February 26, 2014, the Health and Human Services Committee of the Georgia House of Representatives unanimously passed HB 885, the medical cannabidiol oil bill, called Haleigh’s Hope.  Cannabidiol oil is derived from cannabis, or marijuana. The bill now heads to the full House floor for a vote. […]

Read more

Georgia House Passes Expansive Gun Law

  (APN) ATLANTA — On Tuesday, February 18, 2014, the Georgia House of Representatives passed HB 875, the Safe Carry Protection Act, a Second Amendment advocates’ dream bill that has been pushed by a somewhat shadowy group, Georgia Carry.   The bill passed 119 to 56.  It has already crossed over to the Georgia Senate, where it has been referred […]

Read more

Sen. McKoon Introduces Medical Marijuana Study Committee

(APN) ATLANTA — Yesterday, Friday, January 17, 2014, State Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) introduced a resolution, SR 756, Senate Prescription of Medicinal Marijuana for Serious Medical Conditions Study Committee.     The resolution goes on to state:     “WHEREAS, there have been significant scientific and medical studies, reports, clinical trials,and other analyses regarding the use of marijuana for prescriptive […]

Read more

Sen. McKoon Introduces Medical Marijuana Study Committee

(APN) ATLANTA — Yesterday, Friday, January 17, 2014, State Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) introduced a resolution, SR 756, Senate Prescription of Medicinal Marijuana for Serious Medical Conditions Study Committee.     The resolution goes on to state:     “WHEREAS, there have been significant scientific and medical studies, reports, clinical trials,and other analyses regarding the use of marijuana for prescriptive […]

Read more

State Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) Calls for Fractional SPLOST Legislation

By State Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) I firmly believe in reducing the tax burden on our citizens and increasing accountability in government.  This is exactly why I am sponsoring legislation that will allow Georgia’s counties to collect a sales tax at less than one cent.  Imagine each time you went to the supermarket to pick-up just a few household items […]

Read more

Parent Trigger Bill May Come up Again in Legislature This Year (UPDATE 1)

(APN) ATLANTA — House Bill 123, the Parent Teacher Empowerment Act, commonly known as the Parent Trigger bill, care of State Rep. Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta) and others, is rearing its ugly head again, this time for a possible State Senate vote.       Having passed the House last year, in a vote of 97 to 74, but dying an […]

Read more

Cannabis Count: 7 Georgia Legislators Open to Medical Marijuana

(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta Progressive News is keeping track of the fast progress of medical cannabis policy reform in the Georgia Legislature.  To date, at least seven (7) State Legislators have indicated their openness or support for legalized medical cannabis in Georgia. Medical marijuana is a hot topic for discussion and study at the State Capitol this year during their […]

Read more

Tide May be Turning on Medical Cannabis in Georgia Legislature (UPDATE 1)

(APN) ATLANTA — The tide appears to be turning in Georgia with regard to the issue of medical cannabis, or marijuana, after two leading Republican lawmakers in the State Legislature expressed their openness to the idea of legalizing cannabis for medical purposes in Georgia.     As first reported by WSB-TV Channel 2, on January 07, 2014, Republican State Sen. […]

Read more

State Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) Calls for Medical Marijuana Hearings

I did not think it would happen in my lifetime.  I thought Georgia would be one of the last states to consider medical cannabis (marijuana).  Maybe I was wrong. Yesterday, January 07, 2014, Republican State Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) called for hearings on medical marijuana.  No hearings as of yet have been scheduled, but we hope to learn more when […]

Read more

Overview of 2013 Legislative Session, post-Crossover Day

(APN) ATLANTA — The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up its Crossover Day on Thursday, March 07, 2013, which was the thirtieth day of the forty-day legislative session.  This is the last day that legislation has to pass in either the State House or State Senate in order for the legislation to be taken up this year in the other respective […]

Read more

(IPS) ALEC-Backed Laws Promote Controversial Charter Schools

This article first appeared on the Inter-Press Service website at: http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/alec-backed-laws-promote-controversial-charter-schools/   ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb 27 2013 (IPS) – The right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and private education management firms are pushing for new “parent trigger” laws in states across the U.S. by lobbying many Republican and some Democratic legislators to make it easier to convert more traditional public […]

Read more

Rep. Gardner Hopeful Gov. Deal will Support Medicaid Expansion

With additional reporting by Gloria Tatum, Kevin Moran, and Matthew Charles Cardinale. (APN) ATLANTA — State Rep. Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) says she is hopeful that Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, will change his mind over whether to expand Medicaid in Georgia pursuant to the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Currently the U.S. states are split completely in half on the […]

Read more
1 2 3 4 5