Contact your elected representatives and urge them to 'Stop Arresting Marijuana Smokers'. NORML Blog
LEGISLATION
Federal, state, and local bills and initiatives
Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME) on Medicinal Marijuana Law Reform
Thank you for contacting me regarding Marijuana. I appreciate hearing from you. As you know, voters in Maine agreed in a 1999 referendum to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for patients with certain debilitating conditions. While I personally have some reservations about the use of medicinal marijuana and it’s effect, especially in on our nation’s youth, [...]
Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) On Legalization of Marijuana
Thank you for contacting me regarding penalties for marijuana use. I appreciate knowing your views. The Federal Controlled Substance Act (FCSA) outlaws the cultivation, distribution, or possession of marijuana. This law requires that all local, state and federal authorities prosecute violations regarding the use of marijuana. While I appreciate the benefit of your views I [...]
Dutch government commission proposes “members only” cannabis coffee shops
Dutch coffee shops that sell cannabis should should cater mainly for local people and not bulk-buying drugs tourists from abroad, a government commission proposed Thursday. The commission was set up in February to advise the government in a re-evaluation of soft-drug policy, in large part due to an influx of German, French and Belgian drugs [...]
Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) on Medicinal Marijuana Law Reform
Thank you for sharing your perspective on marijuana. I appreciate learning your views, and I value your input. The usage of marijuana for medical purposes remains controversial. Supporters claim that marijuana is therapeutic and not as harmful as smoking cigarettes. On the other hand, opponents contend that marijuana should remain illegal because of its harmful [...]
Economic crises forcing states to close summer school
Gosh, if only there were a quick an easy way to simultaneously raise revenues and cut law enforcement and prison costs, with the additional benefit of protecting children and creating new jobs. I’ll sit here and try to think of that solution; in the meantime, check out this story from the New York Times: COCOA, [...]
Hemp hysteria from a former locksmith in Oregon
I get to post a whole lot of “Reefer Madness” stories here on the Stash, but it is rare that I get to post some “Hemp Hysteria”. This is from a piece entitled “The Hemp Deception“, written by John English here in Portland, Oregon, “a retired professional locksmith of 27 years and a member of [...]
NORML-NJ Meetings Yield New Activities, Board Members and Director
Toms River 6/27/09 – Chris Goldstein The Garden State is growing a bumper crop of reform and recent NORML-NJ meetings have yielded a Green Dream Team of motivated marijuana advocates. On June 27, 2009 the Jersey locals gathered for an official meeting of the NORML-NJ Board of Trustees followed by a well-attended Open Meeting. [...]
Rhode Island to study the failure of marijuana prohibition
(Providence Journal) PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Backers of the successful drive to legalize the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes have now won Senate support for a study of what, if anything, is being accomplished by criminalizing use of the plant for any other purpose? The sponsors of the eleventh-hour legislation include Sens. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston; [...]
Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-CA) on Legalization of Commercial Hemp
Thank you for contacting me regarding legalization of commercial hemp production. I appreciate the opportunity to learn of your views on this subject. The authority derived from Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate controlled substances and to determine the purposes for which they can lawfully be used. Congress [...]
Rep. George Miller (D-CA) on Marijuana Law Reform
Thank you for contacting me to share your support for H.R. 2943, the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009, which would remove federal penalties for the personal use of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana by responsible adults. Polls show that a majority of Americans favor the reduction of penalties for [...]