Butts County authorities intercepted approximately 1,800 pounds of marijuana Tuesday morning, Sheriff Gary Long announced. Long posted a public statement at 12:13 p.m. Tuesday. The shipment originated in Sacramento, California. It carried marijuana toward destinations in Atlanta and Orlando.
Long wrote that roughly half of the load would go to Atlanta. The remaining marijuana would travel to Orlando, Florida. Georgia permits marijuana only through limited medical provisions. Florida allows medical marijuana, while California permits adult recreational use.
Sheriff warns of interstate illicit trade
Long framed the seizure as evidence that state legalization cannot end illicit marijuana sales. “But here is the reality: the black market isn’t going away,” he wrote. “The illegal marijuana trade does not stop at the state line,” Long added. His statement warned Georgia lawmakers against treating legalization as a complete solution.
The release described Mexican drug-trafficking organizations and other criminal groups as major interstate suppliers. Long argued that their operations continue despite legal cannabis markets. His statement did not connect this particular load to any named cartel. Officials have not announced a connection to a specific organization…