NORML Responds to Possible Federal Crack Down on Legal Marijuana

WASHINGTON, DC — White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer suggested this week that the Trump administration will step up enforcement of federal laws against recreational marijuana.

“I do believe that you’ll see greater enforcement,” Spicer said, and added that the exact policy is “a question for the Department of Justice.”

The Department of Justice is lead by Jeff Sessions, a renowned ardent marijuana prohibitionist.

“If the Trump administration goes through with a…

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Leading Reform Organizations Applaud Formation of Congressional Cannabis Caucus

WASHINGTON, DC — The nation’s leading cannabis and drug policy reform organizations commended Congressional members Thursday on the formation of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Don Young (R-AK) formed the Congressional Cannabis Caucus to develop and promote sensible cannabis policy reform and work to ease the tension between federal and state cannabis laws.

They represent constituents…

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NORML Forms Multi-State Workplace Drug Testing Coalition

DENVER, CO — The fact that 190 million Americans now live in states where marijuana has been legalized to some degree is raising a number of questions and issues about how to integrate the American workforce and marijuana consumers rights in regards to drug testing.

With medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and recreational marijuana for adult use in 8 states and Washington DC, millions of responsible and otherwise law-abiding adults remain at risk of being excluded from the…

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So We Have Attorney General Sessions. Whats Next For Marijuana?

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama speaking to supporters at an immigration policy speech hosted by Donald Trump at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (WikiMedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

Despite historic opposition, members of the United States Senate voted 52 to 47 last week to approve the nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for US Attorney General.

While we are disappointed with this outcome, we are pleased that several members of Congress cited the…

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NORML Responds to National Academy of Sciences’ Marijuana Report

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a comprehensive report Thursday acknowledging that “conclusive or substantial evidence” exists for cannabis’ efficacy in patients suffering from chronic pain, and sharply criticized longstanding federal regulatory barriers to marijuana research – in particular “the classification of cannabis as a Schedule I substance” under federal law.

Authors of the report also addressed…

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NORML Releases Open Letter to Vice President-Elect Mike Pence on Marijuana Policy

Indiana Governor Mike Pence addresses a news conference where he was introduced as the vice presidential running mate of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York City, U.S., July 16, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

National NORML, Michigan NORML and dozens of other state and local chapters have released an open letter to Vice President-Elect Pence seeking clarity and common sense from the incoming administration regarding marijuana policy.

During the campaign,…

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Learn Where Your Governor Stands On Marijuana Policy with NORML’s Gubernatorial Report Card

Election-2016

With the 2016 election only days away, NORML is pleased today to release of our first ever Gubernatorial Scorecard. Inspired by NORML’s Congressional Scorecard, this extensive database assigns a letter grade ‘A’ through ‘F’ to every state governor based upon his or her comments and voting records specific to matters of marijuana policy.

Public opinion in support of marijuana law reform is at an all-time high. Nonetheless, few federal lawmakers are espousing views on…

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NORML Sues Over Missing Ballot Item in Florida

legal marijuana law gavel scale

The Florida’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has filed a civil lawsuit against the Broward County Commissioner of Elections, after media and news reports revealed that mail in ballots have been sent to voters omitting the state’s medical marijuana constitutional amendment.

The claim was just filed by NORML’s national vice chairman, Fort Lauderdale attorney Norm Kent, and his law partner, Russell Cormican, on behalf of…

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NORML Releases Updated and Revised 2016 Congressional Scorecard

NORML Releases Updated and Revised 2016 Congressional Scorecard

Today is National Voter Registration Day and we are pleased to present this valuable voter education tool to the marijuana movement: NORML’s updated and revised 2016 Congressional Scorecard. The Scorecard is an all-encompassing database that assigns a letter grade of ‘A’ (the highest grade possible) to ‘F’ (the lowest grade possible) to members of Congress based on their comments and voting records on matters specific to marijuana policy.

KEY FINDINGS

Of the 535 members of the 114th Congress:

  • 330 members (62%) received a passing…

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National NORML Endorses Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative

National NORML Endorses Arizona Marijuana Legalization Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC — At a board meeting held on Saturday, February 20th in Washington, DC, the NORML Board of Directors voted to endorse the Arizona Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act initiative to legalize marijuana in Arizona. That initiative has now officially qualified for the ballot in November.

The NORML Board reversed its former policy of waiting until an initiative has officially qualified for the ballot before endorsing it, believing our endorsement could have a greater impact on the eventual outcome if it came earlier in the…

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Executive Director Allen St. Pierre Resigns from NORML

Executive Director Allen St. Pierre Resigns from NORML

Executive Director Allen F. St. Pierre has tendered his resignation to the NORML board of directors, effective July 15th.

After 14 years serving as Deputy Director of NORML under three different Executive Directors, followed by 11 years as Executive Director, Allen F. St. Pierre has tendered his resignation to the NORML board of directors, effective July 15th. St. Pierre, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, had come to Washington, DC a quarter of a century ago with the intent of going to law school, but he found a job with NORML…

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Michigan Marijuana Legalization Initiative Takes Double Blow, But Vows to Fight On

Efforts to let Michiganders vote on legalizing marijuana this year suffered a one-two punch from the state’s political establishment today, but organizers are unbowed and are vowing to keep up the fight to get their initiative on the ballot.

The campaign is led by the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee, also known as MI Legalize.

First, the state election board ruled Tuesday that the initiative was at least 106,000 signatures short of qualifying after throwing out 137,000 signatures that were gathered more than 180 days…

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Michigan Marijuana Legalization: NORML Endorses MILegalize

Michigan Marijuana Legalization: NORML Endorses MILegalize

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is pleased to announce an endorsement of the MILegalize 2016 initiative to regulate the adult use, production and retail sale of marijuana in Michigan.

MILegalize, also known as the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Committee, has collected more than 270,000 signatures in its effort to legalize marijuana via the petitioning process.

The grass-roots effort has been collecting signatures from registered voters since June, 2015, and represents the…

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DEA Set to Act Imminently on Marijuana Rescheduling Petition

DEA Set to Act Imminently on Marijuana Rescheduling Petition

WASHINGTON, DC — The US Drug Enforcement Administration is prepared to respond in the coming months to an administrative petition calling for the reclassification of marijuana as a schedule I prohibited substance.

Replying to a July 2015 inquiry by US Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and seven other senators, representatives from the DEA acknowledged that they intend to respond to a five-year-old rescheduling petition, filed by then Governors Christine Gregoire of Washington and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, by this July.

The petition,

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It Is Time to Deschedule, Not Reschedule, Cannabis

Under the US Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the cannabis plant and its organic cannabinoids are classified as schedule I prohibited substances — the most restrictive category available under the law.

A recent memorandum from the US Drug Enforcement Administration to several United States Senators indicates that the agency is prepared to respond in the coming months to a five-year-old petition seeking to amend the plant’s status as a schedule I prohibited substance.

Under the US Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the cannabis plant and…

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Poll: 60% of Likely California Voters Support Initiative Effort to Legalize Adult Marijuana Use

Poll: 60% of Likely California Voters Support Initiative Effort to Legalize Adult Marijuana Use

A majority of likely California voters say that they intend to vote ‘yes’ this November for an initiative to regulate the retail production and sale of marijuana by adults, according to the results of a Probolsky Research poll released Thursday.

Sixty percent of respondents say that they will vote in favor of an initiative this November “that would legalize marijuana for recreational use under California law and allow government to tax” its retail sales.

Thirty-seven percent said that they would vote ‘no.’

Support was strongest…

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Iowa State University NORML Chapter Wins Censorship Case

Last week, a federal court ruling struck a blow against censorship directed at marijuana policy reform advocates at Iowa State University. The case, brought by two students with the university’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), was heralded as a major victory by the plaintiffs.

…the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa issued a permanent injunction barring Iowa State University (ISU)…

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Want Marijuana Legalized? The Time for Action is Now.

Want Marijuana Legalized? The Time for Action is Now.

With the Presidential election taking place this November, the majority of us are already being inundated with political propaganda from the political left and the right. In news cycle after news cycle, pundits can be heard offering their thoughts on the most recent poll numbers or political gaffes and rarely venture beyond hot button issues such as immigration or gun control. Some candidates have attempted to discuss drug policy reform, but most have avoided getting into any substantive discussions; ultimately offering a soundbite or two….

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Marijuana Legalization 2016: Is It Better Than Prohibition?

The test should be, “Is it better than Prohibition.” Does the proposal stop the arrest of smokers and establish a legal market where consumers can obtain their marijuana?

As we look forward to what should be a fantastically successful year for marijuana legalization, it is important that those of us who support legalization join arms and move forward in a unified manner. All political progress requires some measure of compromise, and legalizing marijuana is no exception.

Each state that legalizes marijuana, at least during this early…

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Marijuana pushes the limits in the inexact science of DUID | News21: America’s Weed Rush

Here’s another interesting article from News 21’s cannabis legalization project:

One of the biggest struggles for legalization regulation is how to…

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American Indian tribes plan to make marijuana a cash crop

From The Telegraph​, “American Indian tribes plan to make marijuana a cash crop”.

Due to tribal land’s unique legal status, many Native American…

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Case Report: Patient With Life-Threatening Angioedema Responds Favorably To Inhaled Cannabis

Case Report: Patient With Life-Threatening Angioedema Responds Favorably To Inhaled Cannabis:

RESEARCH UPDATE:

Paul Armentano, NORML’s Deputy Director, just posted to the NORML Blog about a new medical cannabis case study!

Read Paul’s blog post at the link above!

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Why Montana Is Going Backward on Medical Marijuana

From NBC News​ and News 21, “Why Montana Is Going Backward on Medical Marijuana”

In 2004, the medical marijuana industry in Montana was booming, with…

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East New York: It's still law enforcement target for marijuana possession | News21: America’s Weed Rush

Another article out of News 21’s cannabis project: “East New York: It’s still law enforcement target for marijuana possession”.

New York City Mayor…

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Pro-legalization groups prepare for marijuana measures in 2016

Check out this terrific article from News 21’s ‘America’s Weed Rush’ project!

Journalists from News 21 compiled this extremely thorough and…

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Make Medical Marijuana Legal In Wyoming

More good news from Wyoming!

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle​ has come out in support of NORML Wyoming​’s medical marijuana initiative. The paper had…

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Final update from the NORML Nation Chapter Contest!Here are your…

Final update from the NORML Nation Chapter Contest!

Here are your winners:

1st – Virginia NORML​ ($1,000)
2nd – Peachtree NORML​ ($500)
3rd – PhillyNORML​ ($250)

Thanks to all of our hardworking chapters for making the #NORMLnation Membership Drive a success! We’ll be working on getting the membership orders fulfilled in the coming weeks!

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Colombia decriminalizes private marijuana cultivation

Here’s #MondayMotivation from #NORML!

Last Tuesday, Colombia’s Supreme Court decided that growing up to 20 cannabis plants in Colombia is no longer a…

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America’s Weed Rush

Good morning cannabis activists!

“‘America’s Weed Rush’ is the 2015 project of the Carnegie-Knight News21 program. 27 journalism students from 19…

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Colorado pot sales spike in June, top $50M for first time

ECONOMIC UPDATE:

Great results out of Colorado! Cannabis sales spiked in June, breaking $50 million for the first time in the industry’s existence!…

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#NORML Nation Chapter Contest Update! Here is the…

#NORML Nation Chapter Contest Update! Here is the leaderboard:

1st – Virginia NORML (36)
2nd – Peachtree NORML (28)
3rd – Purdue NORML (15) and Philly NORML (15)
Runner Ups – Pittsburgh NORML (14), Roanoke Valley NORML (11), Northern WI NORML (8), San Antonio NORML (7), California NORML (6), Texas NORML (6), Waco NORML (5), and Kentucky NORML (5)

Remember, the #NORMLnation Membership Drive ends TONIGHT at 11:59pm PST! Less than 12 hours left to help your…

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Medical marijuana initiative launches in Wyoming | WyoFile

Good news out of Wyoming, thanks to NORML Wyoming​!

This week, cannabis activists with Wyoming NORML will start collecting signatures for a medical…

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Do you follow #NORML on Periscope? If not, you should! Periscope…

Do you follow #NORML on Periscope? If not, you should!

Periscope is a live-streaming app, available for free on your smartphone or tablet! We have three great livestreams scheduled today, follow @NORML on Periscope to tune in!

Danielle’s First Livestream from the DC office     –    3pm EST
PeriToke Q&A with Chris in the Denver office      –    5pm EST
Live “Puff, Pass, and Paint” Class with Chris       –    9pm EST

Check out NORML’s…

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TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE NORML NATION MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!The…

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE NORML NATION MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!

The drive will close TONIGHT at 11:59PM PST! (Of course you can join NORML anytime, but this will be your last chance to get all of the cool #NORMLnation stuff!)

Join the #NORMLnation before it’s too late: norml.org/normlnation

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Thanks again to the great sponsors from the cannabis industry,…

Thanks again to the great sponsors from the cannabis industry, the NORML Nation Membership Drive wouldn’t be possible without them!

Preferred Organic Therapy,​ MassRoots​, HempWick,​ Spliffin,​ 420goodybox,​ Freedom Leaf, and​ Weedmaps​!

Join the #NORMLnation: norml.org/normlnation

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Philly420: Marijuana arrests down 73 percent

Good news out of Philadelphia from PhillyNORML​!

Cannabis-related arrests are down 73% in Philly, compared to the first six months of last year. Chris…

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These amazing membership packages are only available until…

These amazing membership packages are only available until Friday at 11:59PM PST!

Join the #NORMLnation TODAY: norml.org/normlnation

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New DEA Leader Suspects Marijuana is Not as Bad as Heroin

WASHINGTON, DC — Newly appointed head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chuck Rosenberg, says that marijuana is “probably” not as dangerous as heroin.

Rosenberg’s comments, issued Tuesday, are seemingly in conflict with marijuana’s Schedule I classification under federal law, which places it in the same category as heroin and is a lesser category than cocaine. The law defines cannabis and its dozens of distinct cannabinoids as possessing “a high potential for abuse … no currently accepted medical use, … [and] a lack of accepted safety for the use of the drug … under medical supervision.”

Predictably, Rosenberg did emphasize that he believed cannabis posed potential harms, stating:“If you want me to say that marijuana’s not dangerous, I’m not going…

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