Hemp bill leaves some cops unable to enforce marijuana laws in Georgia

But prosecutors and police say it won’t change how they handle suspected marijuana cases.

Possession of small amounts of marijuana will remain decriminalized in several jurisdictions, and a low priority in many others. Misdemeanor cases are more likely to result in diversion classes or dismissals than prosecutions.

Police can’t tell the difference between illegal marijuana and legal hemp plants, and law enforcement officials said testing small amounts of green leafy substances is more trouble than it’s worth.

“Marijuana remains illegal in Georgia. That hasn’t changed,” said Pete Skandalakis, executive director for the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. “The problem law enforcement will face now is when there’s less than an ounce, there’s no field test that will let you distinguish between hemp and marijuana.”

The legislation, which awaits Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature or veto, highlights the difficulty of allowing hemp farming while maintaining prohibitions on recreational marijuana consumption. [Read More @ The Atlanta Journal and Constitution]