A coalition of medical, public safety, prevention, treatment and recovery organizations, faith-based groups, and community organizations has issued a public statement outlining evidence-based concerns regarding marijuana and hemp policy in Georgia.
The statement, published this week by Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy, is signed by 71 organizations from across Georgia and the nation, including the Georgia Society of Addiction Medicine, Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association, the Georgia Sheriffs Association, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Georgia Poison Center.
“As availability of marijuana and hemp-derived THC products has expanded in Georgia,” said Michael Mumper, Executive Director of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy, “we believe it’s essential that citizens, journalists, and Georgia stakeholders have access to clear data, peer-reviewed research, and the lived experience of organizations serving families and communities across Georgia.”
The statement highlights shared concerns related to:
- Public health and pediatric exposure
- Roadway safety and drug-impaired driving
- Workplace safety and employer liability
- Youth access and brain development
- Family stability and community impact
The coalition emphasizes that the statement does not call for or oppose specific legislation, nor is it directed at lawmakers. Instead, it is intended to elevate science, data, and lived experience in an often-polarized public debate.
“As clinicians, we are seeing the real-world effects of increased THC availability on patients, families, and communities,” said Ben Hunter, MD, FAPA, President of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association. “This statement highlights the critical importance of grounding policy discussions in high-quality scientific evidence.”
The full public statement, including the list of signatory organizations and extensive references to peer-reviewed research, is publicly available at:
https://gamarijuanapolicy.org/issue-letter-2/
