NORML and marijuana law reform

[nationalnorml]

Hey everyone, I'm with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in Washington, DC. We've been fighting to legalize marijuana since 1970. You can check out our web site at http://www.norml.org. We've got lawyer listings, state-by-state laws, information on how you can help change the law, and the latest news about legislative action. You can also join NORML through the web site.

If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to do my best to answer them. Thanks, have a good one.

nationalnorml Reviewed by nationalnorml on 08-04-2005. NORML and marijuana law reform Hey everyone, I'm with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in Washington, DC. We've been fighting to legalize marijuana since 1970. You can check out our web site at http://www.norml.org. We've got lawyer listings, state-by-state laws, information on how you can help change the law, and the latest news about legislative action. You can also join NORML through the web site. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to do my best to answer them. Thanks, Rating: 5

[Blue Rasta]

How come passing a bill to regulate marijuana hasn't become a HUGE issue in the public? Why with so many people and so much information on marijuana and an already existing system that allows it (Holland) isnt legal, or havent we had a chance to vote to legalize it?

[ermitonto]

Because the government has manipulated popular opinion into thinking that marijuana is evil. Back in the '30s, the government presented as absolute fact things we know to be ridiculous today. When Congress was considering the issue, for example, they were faced with the "facts" that marijuana causes blacks and Mexicans to rape our innocent white girls, that it leads to incurable insanity, and so forth. Of course these were probably taken straight out of some racist's ass, but Congress was convinced and the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed, making marijuana illegal without any scientific inquiry or public debate. Of course, the government needed to justify its position, so it spread all these awful rumors throughout the public, manipulating public opinion strongly in favor of this little-known plant through lies and deception (remember Reefer Madness?). The US government initiated a vast international treaty making the plant illegal everywhere on earth, based ultimately on the aforementioned lies.

In the '60s and '70s, people started to realize that millions of people were smoking pot and none of these supposed bad things were happening. Nixon started a scientific commission into the issue to advise him on how the situation should be handled, and after lots of research they came to the conclusion that pot should be legalized. Nixon, furious, threw it out without reading it, and the status quo stays.

If the people were really in control of the government, none of this would ever have happened. Experience and research have shown to many many people that this is a relatively benign plant, but government policy is not based on experience and research. It is based on the distorted opinions of a few rich white Christian capitalists at the top of the ladder, which makes me rather pessimistic about the possibility of a successful reform movement trying to beat them at their own legislative game.

[improllystoned]

The people of Denver are attempting to pass a law that allows people over the age of 21 to posess up to an ounce of marijuana. Is NORML involved in this inititive and how can i help to make it happen? Also, is the report that Nixon recieved published anywhere?

[NowhereMan]

why do yaw priase the police for stealing my medical crops i try to grow becuase i cant get it legally in any way shape or form
you support eradication,which means supporting raiding my lil patch
i end up without my meds becuase of this and yet NORML says goods things about these dudes,
im not saying you aint done great things for the cuase of legalizing medical use,
but just asking why do you not see that telling the cops what a great job they doing taking my meds as if im some drug supplier
cant i supply my own cannabis or must i buy it from a place YOU approve
this is a delima for me
meanwhile can i piont out a place for you to check out also
http://www.mpp.org/


will await a reply
thanks

[nationalnorml]

How come passing a bill to regulate marijuana hasn't become a HUGE issue in the public? Why with so many people and so much information on marijuana and an already existing system that allows it (Holland) isnt legal, or havent we had a chance to vote to legalize it?

Essentially, ermitonto made a lot of good points. Marijuana has historically been demonized by the government, and this has been accomplished with propaganda and lies. Many people don't want to see marijuana legalized because they enjoy scapegoating it. Still others are content to buy into the misinformation, and won't believe the truth. However, despite America's sordid history with marijuana, many people are beginning to see the truth, and realize that the war on marijuana smokers is senseless. While the government usually takes some time to catch up to the general public, it can happen. We just need to keep fighting.

[nationalnorml]

The people of Denver are attempting to pass a law that allows people over the age of 21 to posess up to an ounce of marijuana. Is NORML involved in this inititive and how can i help to make it happen? Also, is the report that Nixon recieved published anywhere?

NORML's Colorado chapter is most likely supporting this legislative initiative. They are also extremely active in Boulder. The report that Nixon commissioned is available several places. The actual full report is over 5,000 pages long, but you should be able to access the "executive summary" at http://www.druglibrary.org.