# Has any brigade done Civic Tech work for CannaBusiness and Government locally?

**URL:** <https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/has-any-brigade-done-civic-tech-work-for-cannabusiness-and-government-locally/439>\
**Category:** Projects\
**Created:** [March 18, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/has-any-brigade-done-civic-tech-work-for-cannabusiness-and-government-locally/439 "2019-03-18T20:54:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HiGregory](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discourse.codeforamerica.org/higregory/32/955_2.png) [@HiGregory](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/u/HiGregory)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/has-any-brigade-done-civic-tech-work-for-cannabusiness-and-government-locally/439/1 "2019-03-18T20:54:22Z")

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It’s no secret that Cannabis is a growing business. It’s legal recreationally in 10 states and medically in about 33. Still, governments state to state all operate differently and what I have found is lack of Open Data and Civic Tech projects geared towards advocating for accessible and accountability in this space.

**Overview**  
What are some ways Civic Engagement & Technology can impact Medical Marijuana? I am working on a project at Code for Miami to grow this area of Civic Tech which can push local leaders in different sectors to become more informed.

**What I’m looking for is?**

- Have any examples of open data work done in this space?
- What problems do you in your brigade or city find in this space?
- Who are some leaders I should reach out too or follow doing interesting work?

**(Assumptions) What are some people being impacted and affected?**

- Low-Income Populations lack tools to be informed and engaged with Marijuana laws locally.
- Business owners have to keep up with rapidly changing regulations at the state and local level.
- Government in some states and even cities are not opening up or tracking data related to Cannabis Dispensaries or other forms of business.

[Have someone I should reach out too? Click here.](https://goo.gl/forms/SZRVSSVGJ4WG4k7M2)

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**Author:** ![carlvlewis](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discourse.codeforamerica.org/carlvlewis/32/317_2.png) [@carlvlewis](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/u/carlvlewis)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/has-any-brigade-done-civic-tech-work-for-cannabusiness-and-government-locally/439/2 "2019-03-23T16:06:49Z")

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@HiGregory

(_Disclaimer: I serve on the board of [ReformGeorgia](http://reformgeorgia.org), a statewide criminal justice reform nonprofit, with cannabis reform as one of its first round enabling conditions in its Theory of Change. I also do paid consulting work for Savannah-based e-commerce platform [SmokeCartel](https://smokecartel.com), which was founded by a Brigade member and which sells accessories for the cannabis industry_)

## Cannabis-related discovery work with police data

At OpenSavannah, we’ve done discovery work in this field after [City Council found a loophole in state law that allows municipalities to decriminalize marijuana possession](https://www.wjcl.com/article/savannah-city-council-votes-to-decriminalize-marijuana/19042998). Upon its unanimous passage by Council, all police stops for less than 1 ounce possession are subject a penalty of no more than a $150 ticket per offense, instead of treating the incident as a felony. **Savannah is the first and only Georgia city to take this measure.**

But policy is only part of the battle (`justice is in getting the implementation right`!). What the headlines failed to mention is that the enforcement of the new policy is left to the discretion of the officer. So, if the officer deems appropriate, he/she/they can treat possession as a felony.

While issues with the city’s crime data vendor have prevented us from getting to a granular enough level thus far (sidenote: LexisNexis Community Crime Mapping is an **evil govtech vendor** In my view that is not looking out for its clients’ best interest; they have essentially claimed their contract with the city prevents _anyone_ else from having raw data of police reports, for commercial or noncommercial purposes. Silly, I know… ugh). It’s _public_ data!

Hope that helps!

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**Author:** ![HiGregory](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discourse.codeforamerica.org/higregory/32/955_2.png) [@HiGregory](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/u/HiGregory)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 5:12pm UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/has-any-brigade-done-civic-tech-work-for-cannabusiness-and-government-locally/439/3 "2019-03-29T17:12:41Z")

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Thanks for sharing this. It’s super helpful.

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**Author:** ![Mari](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discourse.codeforamerica.org/mari/32/992_2.png) [@Mari](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/u/Mari)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 7:04am UTC](https://discourse.codeforamerica.org/t/has-any-brigade-done-civic-tech-work-for-cannabusiness-and-government-locally/439/4 "2023-07-01T07:04:45Z")

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