BUTTS COUNTY, GA — A sheriff’s office in Georgia saved the day for Orlando — at least that’s how officials there might describe it — after intercepting a massive marijuana shipment, part of which authorities say was headed to Central Florida.
The Butts County Sheriff’s Office announced six days ago that approximately 1,800 pounds of marijuana had been intercepted in Butts County. According to Sheriff Gary Long, the shipment originated in Sacramento, California, with roughly half headed to Atlanta and the other half destined for Orlando. Florida permits marijuana for qualifying medical use, while recreational marijuana remains illegal.
Sheriff Long used the seizure to raise concerns about the black market for marijuana and whether legalization can effectively eliminate illegal sales and trafficking. “The illegal marijuana trade does not stop at the state line,” Sheriff Long said in the press release.
Sheriff Long argued that legal marijuana businesses face taxes, licensing fees, testing requirements and other regulatory costs that criminal organizations can avoid, allowing illegal operations to potentially undercut businesses operating legally.
He also pointed to California and Colorado as examples of states that have continued dealing with illicit marijuana markets despite legalization and regulation.
Sheriff Long urged Georgia lawmakers to examine the experiences of other states before moving further toward legalization, arguing that lawmakers should develop regulations capable of addressing both the legal industry and illegal trafficking. “Georgia, let’s get it right the first time,” Sheriff Long concluded.
SOURCE: BUTTS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
