When the Georgia legislature reconvenes in January, two fathers will lead the charge to ban synthetic marijuana statewide. Both men lost their sons last year, and although the state has tried to wage war on "spice," efforts have fallen painfully short.
Lance Dyer and David Burnett just spent their first Christmas without their sons, and they say they don't want to see other families suffer the same kind of pain. They say they believe 2013 must be the year that Georgia gets it right, so they're leading the fight.
Dakota Dyer and Chase Burnett died just a few days apart. They did not know each other, but their dads have teamed up to educate and eradicate synthetic pot, or "spice" as it is known.
Last year, the legislature passed Chase's Law, which was named for Burnett's son. But spice manufacturers changed the chemicals and it was back on shelves in days. Now, the state has targeted the key chemicals and made them illegal to possess.
Dyer and Burnett say other states watch Georgia so that they can follow with their own laws.
David Burnett has filed a lawsuit against the owner of a company that he says makes the spice that killed his son, and Lance Dyer says his family is heading in the same direction. The legislature is working on several bills to try and make the ban permanent.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:03:38 GMT
Three people remain at an Atlanta hospital a day after they were injured aboard a hotel shuttle bus that crashed with a tractor-trailer near the city's airport.
Three people remain at an Atlanta hospital a day after they were injured aboard a hotel shuttle bus that crashed with a tractor-trailer near the city's airport.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:19:38 GMT
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.