NORML Chapter Newsletter – July 2019

Originally published at blog.NORML.org

Every day 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.

NORML Announces Plans for 2019 Conference and Lobby Day 

“This September, we invite you to join NORML members from across America to learn effective strategies, hear the latest scientific and political advancements, and meet in person with influential members of Congress.”

Read more from NORML.org!

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

NORML KC Continues Push to Expand Patient Access 

“Members of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws pushed to reduce the buffer zone to only 300 feet, something Mayor-Elect Quinton Lucas had proposed earlier.”

Read More from Fox 4 News!

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

Memphis NORML Refocuses Efforts to End Marijuana Prohibition

“The end goal is always recreational. We believe in responsible use of cannabis, period. For consenting adults over 21, they should have no problem being able to go purchase cannabis.”

Read more from the Memphis Flyer!

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

NORML Leaders in the Media

Radio: Jenn Michelle Pedini, Executive Director, Virginia NORML

Alan Robinson, Executive Director, Wisconsin NORML

“The decriminalization and legalization of cannabis is one of the ways this country can undo some of the systematic and intentional racism.”

Read more from ISTHMUS!

Follow Wisconsin NORML on Facebook and become a member today!

Dan Viets, Executive Director, Missouri NORML 

“They’ll compromise the hell out of anything if it’s in the least controversial.”

Read more from Riverfront Times!

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

Jamie Kacz, Executive Director, NORML KC

“We want patients to be able to have access to their medicine so they don’t have to have any unnecessary burden.”

Read more from KSHB-TV!

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

Jamie Spencer, Legal Counsel, Texas NORML 

“This is good news for everyone in Texas — not only those who want to smoke marijuana, but the other majority of Texans that don’t use marijuana but think it’s ridiculous that it’s still a crime at all.”

Read more from the Statesman! 

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

Jax Finkle, Executive Director, Texas NORML 

“People are just having a conversation of where should our tax dollars be spent on crimes and clearly low-level offenses, where people aren’t really bothering anyone, have really become not a priority for the general public.”

Read more from Your Basin! 

“HB 3703 will ensure more patients have access to medicine which will have a positive impact on their lives.”

Read more from the Statesman!

“Many more patients are still being left behind, however, and will now have to wait until the next legislative session in 2021 for their next opportunity to find relief.”

Read more from Alice Echo News Journal!

“This is a real-world test run for what it will be like if we don’t prosecute for marijuana. We’ll see that it’s not worth the resources or testing cost.”

Read more from The Austin Chronicle! 

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

Jenn Michelle Pedini, Executive Director, Virginia NORML

“Virginians overwhelmingly want a fine, not a crime, for marijuana possession.”

Read more from The Washington Post!

“The Commonwealth now spends over $100M annually enforcing marijuana prohibition, at time when over three quarters of Virginians favor fines not crimes for simple possession and six in ten support legalizing and regulating responsible adult-use.”

Read more from Weed News!

“It really comes down to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and the House Courts of Justice Committee. That’s where marijuana reform goes to die.”

Read more from RVA Magazine! 

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

Mary Kruger, Executive Director, Rochester NORML

“It leaves us asking many questions about how the complicated/costly process of expungement is going to be covered and done automatically by the State,”

Read more from Forbes!

“If someone has a misdemeanor level drug charge on their record, that has collateral consequences throughout their life.”

Read more from WHEC TV!

“Actual decriminalization would be it’s okay to grow the plant, it’s okay to sell the plant, it’s okay to consume the plant in spaces that are designated for consumption. None of that is happening with this bill.”

Read more from WHEC TV!

“We know we’re moving in the right direction, and we’re not going away.”

Read more from City Newspaper!

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

Paul Kirchberg, Executive Director, Connecticut NORML 

“It’s very liberating here to be among other people in the cannabis industry, to be in a large venue like MassMutual and be able to be free of any prosecution or persecution. We hope Connecticut will follow suit quickly.”

Read more from West Hartford News!

Follow Connecticut NORML on Facebook and become a member today!

Rick Thompson, Board Member, Michigan NORML

“There remains concern that the initial recreational demand will strip out the supply and cause market disruption.”

Read more from M Live!

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

For more than 45 years NORML chapters have been 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 email NORML Outreach Director Kevin Mahmalji at [email protected] for help with starting your own! 

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