NORML Chapter Newsletter

Originally published at blog.NORML.org

Everyday NORML Chapters from around the country invest countless hours in advocating for meaningful marijuana law reforms on the local, state and federal level! Below is a brief rundown of some of their most recent accomplishments.

2018 NORML Award Recipients

Every year since 1998 NORML has recognized activists from around the country who are working to advance marijuana law reforms at the local, state and federal level for their outstanding activism, academic study or political and cultural leadership in the field of marijuana policy reform.

Read more from NORML.org!

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Access to Marijuana Shows Promise in Combating America’s Opioid Crisis

In support of International Overdose Awareness Day, NORML leaders from around the country hosted community forums to highlight the growing evidence that regulated marijuana access is positively associated with decrease in opioid overdose fatalities, hospitalizations, dependency and use.

Read more from NORML.org!

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Members of Charlotte NORML Educate Attendees of Town Hall Meeting

During a town hall meeting organized by State Representative Kelly M. Alexander, members of Charlotte NORML educated attendees about medical marijuana, decriminalization, legalization and more.

Read more from Qcitymetro.com!

Follow Charlotte NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Indiana NORML Hosts Largest Event of its Kind in Indiana History

Members of Indiana NORML recently organized a statewide town hall meeting with lawmakers, veterans, candidates, patient advocates and community leaders to discuss medical marijuana and the need for legislative action in 2019.

Read more from NUVO News!

Follow Indiana NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

New York Governor Names Group to Draft Pot Legalization Measure

Members of Empire State NORML have worked closely with state lawmakers to draft legislation being considered by New York’s Senate Finance Committee, but remain cautiously optimistic about the governor’s work group.

Read more from The Crime Report!

Follow Empire State NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

New Approach Missouri Medical Marijuana Initiative Certified for November Ballot

Members of NORML Chapters across Missouri were instrumental in gathering more than 350,000 signatures in order to qualify the New Approach Missouri Medical Marijuana initiative for this November’s ballot.

Read more from NORML.org!

Follow New Approach Missouri on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and donate today!

Law Reform Group Pushes for City to Stop Prosecuting Minor Pot Crimes

Virginia NORML’s newest chapter is working with members of the Winchester City Council and officials in Frederick County to convince local law enforcement officers to consider marijuana-related crimes their lowest priority.

Read more from The Winchester Star!

Follow Virginia NORML on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and become a member today!

NORML Leaders in the Media

Glen Schwarz, Executive Director, Arkansas NORML

“Schwarz, the 64-year-old executive director of the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, supports the decriminalization of marijuana and some other nonviolent crimes to free up resources to take violent criminals off the streets.”

Read more from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette!

Follow Arkansas NORML on Facebook and become a member today!   

Dale Geringer, Executive Director, California NORML

“We’re not too far off his projection, and I think things are heading upwards,” said Dale Gieringer, director of the California branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML. “I am a little worried. There are a lot of kinks in the system that they have to work out, but the regulators are working on it, as is the Legislature, and I think we will get there.”

Read more from LMTOnline.com!

Follow California NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Aaron J. Romano, Board Member, Connecticut NORML

“Connecticut NORML extends their wishes for a speedy recovery to those who overdosed on the New Haven Green from ingesting synthetic cannabinoids. The sad fact is that these overdoses could have been prevented by the legalization and regulation of cannabis.”

Read more from the New Haven Independent!

Follow Connecticut NORML on Facebook and become a member today!

Steve Thompson, Board Member, Michigan NORML

“What’s really lost are the patients and families affected by a shutdown,” said Rick Thompson, a board member of the Michigan chapter of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws).

Read more from 13 On Your Side!

Follow Michigan NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Patrick Nightengale, Executive Director, Pittsburgh NORML

“This legislation passed the (state) Senate … with no one suggesting there be an opt-out provision for counties or jurisdictions that have cold feet,” Nightingale said. “I cannot imagine that anyone would put their political capital into taking medicine away from Pennsylvanians by making it more difficult for them to access it.”

Read more from The Times-Tribune!

Follow Pittsburgh NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

Crystal Oliver, Board Member, Washington NORML

“She is a member of Spokane County’s Voluntary Stewardship Program Workgroup and Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Cannabis Advisory Council. She also is a volunteer for Washington NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and served on the State Building Code Council Technical Advisory Group and Spokane Clean Air Agency’s Marijuana Advisory Committee”

Read more from the Chewelah Independent!

Follow Washington NORML on Facebook and Twitter and become a member today!

For over 45 years NORML chapters have been leading marijuana law reform conversations and continue to be the driving force behind policy decisions on the local and state level. Have you connected with your local NORML chapter? If there isn’t one in your community, please reach out to KevinM@NORML.org for help starting your own!

Ready to start a NORML chapter in your hometown? Click here to find out how!