So, you want to be a Marijuana Law Reform Activist (Part 2)

I know many of us are frustrated.  It seems that sometimes none of our toking friends are willing to take part in any activist activities, and would just rather sit around and get high.  Perhaps they even said they would be at that protest rally and didn’t show up, leaving you with a dozen or so placards in a pile, unused.  Well, look on the bright side.  Those protest signs will still be valid until “that day of rejoicing” when marijuana is legal for all responsible adults.

Many of our toking friends are afraid to do anything due to the stigma of an non-approving family or the fear of losing a job.  Perhaps many of them are fearful of persecution.

All I can say is this.  Sometimes, at the start, the activist’s life can be somewhat lonely.  Sometimes, it is time to say goodbye to former friends and seek out new ones.  You have to decide.  I, personally, have no problem cutting “those guys” out of the discussion.  I simply will not put the energy into repeatedly trying to enlist them in this war.  I would rather do something else to help me find like minded folks.

Here are a few more suggestions to go along with the suggestions in Part 1 to get you on your path, all of which are also activist activities.

4. Be dressed for the Protest

Know your audience. At the bike rally, concert, beach, college campus, or party, rock your NORML t-shirt...

Finding like minded potential activists and protesting existing marijuana laws can be as easy as putting on a t-shirt. All some folks need is a nudge in the right direction. By wearing a NORML, High Times or any t-shirt with a marijuana friendly message when you are in a public setting will serve as a protest as well as a way to meet other potential activists. Fellow Stasher, Urb Age, has some clothing with our friendly little flower on them. You may even be able to go down to your local mall and find something suitable, after all, the issue of marijuana legalization has gone mainstream and now many outlets are trying to capitalize on it.

I wear these t-shirts only when I am going to be in public. They serve no function wearing them around the house where nobody else except family can see them. Keep them clean and wear them where they will do the most good… in public.

...but for the public protest, legislative hearing, media presentation, "mainstream" luncheon, or "cocktail party", dress it up a little.

As you walk in this public setting watch the reactions of the folks around you. Very few folks who see it (and understand it) will do so without some body language giving away their sentiments. Look for the nods of approval and smiles of the folks you meet. That nod or smile, or even the remark, “That’s not how “normal” is spelled”,  is your opening for conversation. Take advantage of it.  [Russ notes: Try wearing a 100% hemp cap with a pot leaf on it everywhere you go!  I've given out more cards and talked to more people and recruited more new members to Oregon NORML from strangers passing by saying "nice hat" than every classified ad I've ever placed.]

Don’t be afraid of the police. They cannot bust you for your choice in wardrobe or your beliefs. You might even find that (some of) them are willing to listen and talk sensibly to you. While you have that police officer’s ears, you might even mention Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (L.E.A.P.).

5. Attend a Mass Protest

Do you want to carry your activism to gargantuan levels. Well, you can do so by joining up with hundreds or hundreds of thousands of like minded activists as they take part in one of the many mass protest rallies, also known as “Hemp Festivals”, marches, seminars or conferences and they happen throughout the world. It is here that you may encounter other like minded folk who live just down the block from you and you had no idea they existed, or find new friends who live halfway around the world.

These type of festivals serve to rejuvenate my spirit and “fire me up” and they may you also.

You can find information on many of these rallies at the NORML Calendar of Events.

6. Start a Petition Drive

Here is another way to be an activist and at the same time meet other like minded, potential activists.

Get permission from your own local “smoke shop” to set up a table in their store and start a petition demanding “Legalization and Taxation of Marijuana”. Most shop owners should be open to this suggestion as … well, this is a capitalist world and it could mean more business for them.  [Russ notes: Well, maybe not.  Lots of smoke shops flee from the word "marijuana", as they are playing the "wink wink nudge nudge" game that those big glass sculptures are actually for tobacco smoking.  But a record store, music club, sandwich shop, pizza joint, or bookstore will usually be open for the extra business - they know stoners like music, food, and books.]

Don’t just ask the shop customers to sign the petition and leave it at that. No! Rather, try starting a conversation with them as they sign, and try to steer the conversation to see how far they are willing to go and possibly enlist them as a warrior (because that is what we are) in this war. Don’t forget to mention NORML in the conversation. Write down any links for them to do their own research and be sure to “give it to them”.

The “art” of conversation takes practice, so it doesn’t matter if you stumble over your words for a while, because “practice makes perfect”.

Also… Remember to wear that t-shirt with the marijuana friendly message.

To be continued…