Marijuana is derived from a plant. It’s legal, and used as recreational, or even medical in many states of the USA.  Although many people use it all over the country, there are other less fortunate states who consider marijuana as an illegal drug/substance including Georgia. Georgia usually prosecutes to the highest form if it’s possible, which isn’t fair to most because it’s completely legal in other states, and even created lucrative industry for itself (as there are many dispensaries, etc).

According to https://drugabusestatistics.org/marijuana-addiction/

You can use marijuana as recreational in 10 states, which is calculated to be 20% of the USA. There has been an increase of the use for medical purposes as well, being almost 30 states, (which is 56% of the nation legalizing medical marijuana).

https://joelbaskin.com/blog/marijuana-arrests-attorney/
As Directly quoted from the above article, “When it comes to arrest statistics, marijuana possession accounts for more than 90% of all forms of marijuana arrests. Georgia ranks 6th for marijuana arrest drug charges and crimes.”

Living in Atlanta, many people I know, either knows someone, has a family friend, or friends of friends, that use marijuana (for medical/recreational) or they’re either being affected somehow by the harsh marijuana laws. Innocent people have been arrested, leaving them with criminal records, Others being imprisoned. Imprisonment being the worst, Not only taking away their freedom, but being in the COVID pandemic we are risking not being able to see our loved ones ever again. I’m not saying it should be excused, but I do think lower consequences should be offered. 

Although Atlanta, Georgia probably won’t be making cannabis legal for any forms of use, I would like to aim to petition for the lowest sentencing strictly limited to such as parole options. As it is a nonviolent offense Atlanta, the parole option should be exercised as the maximum alternative instead of imprisonment being the maximum. 

We all are aware that in prison, our loved ones can’t get the proper care, or treatment needed especially with the pandemic conditions. It’s unsafe, and prisons should not be an option especially for non violent offenders such as ones involving cannabis. I have loved ones who have been victims, in the past, and currently. 
It’s scary especially in the present day, as there are still so many new strands of COVID coming out, (which being in prison’s conditions will deteriorate their health, making them more prone to illness). Worried about my loved ones, I’m hoping to make a difference to stop sending citizens to prison over cannabis, and instead consider parole as the maximum alternative.