GBI WINS POLICE CHIEFS' AWARD

DECATUR, Ga. -- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab is being
honored for an innovative marijuana testing program.

GBI Director Vernon Keenan said Wednesday the August Vollmer Excellence in
Forensic Science Award from the International Association of Chiefs of
Police recognizes the program developed by the lab's chemistry section for
local law enforcement agencies in Georgia.

More than 1,600 officers certified by the GBI analyze marijuana seized in
their jurisdictions and testify in their local communities. That enables
marijuana cases to move through the courts quicker than other controlled
substance cases and has reduced the GBI lab's load of marijuana cases by
98 percent.

The award will be presented in October at the annual IACP Conference in
Denver.