It is very hard to imagine that Cannabis Prohibition could have ever lasted as long as it has–75 years in America–if there were:
1) The Internet…and it’s ability to allow citizens to directly communicate, sometimes en mass, at lightening speed and at little-to-no-cost (as compared to say the pre-Internet era where the capital start up costs and regulatory entanglements to reach the masses for TV, radio and newspapers were prohibitively high except for the most well-to-do).
2) Brave and forward-looking citizens like Frank Mattioli, from western New York, posting personal videos to major media outlets like CNN, articulately and passionately advocating for major changes in America’s failed Cannabis Prohibition.
As there is far, far more cannabis smoke in Americans’ closets these days than sex (including gay sex), the easy analogy to the gay rights movement’s success of ‘coming out of the closet’ should not be loss at all by the cannabis law reform movement.
Currently, 50% of the US population favor legalizing cannabis (75% support medical access). These days one of the major questions asked repeatedly of NORML by reporters, columnists and editorial boards is ‘not if, but when will cannabis finally become legal in America?’
Nate Silver at the New York Times estimates that the politically crucible number of sixty percent public support for legalizing cannabis will likely occur in the next ten years.
I don’t see how this is not possible, certainly if more and more cannabis consumers and lovers of freedom, like Frank Mattioli, continue to speak their mind and vote their conscience.
God new, congratulations.
The DEA’s effort and resolve to change to flow of MJ in California, is akin to turning a 14-story cruise ship 180-degrees within a tiny harbor. We’re better-off knowing where the DEA is headed with MJ. Seems now, it’s to control the MJ market by lowering the retail price than can be farmed commercially.
I am so ticked at the arrogance of the hypocrites who have so much hate for Marijuana. I’m an apothecary, and while I don’t use cannabis, I cannot see the harm in anyone else doing so. In truth, I feel it is up to the individual what choices they will make and no one has the right to impose their prejudices on to another person. This hate impedes upon the development of pharmacognosy and interrupts what may well be valuable medical discovery. When the government stands in the way of scientific progress I feel somewhat entitled to get a bit upset…
Frank, Thank you for your open and direct approach to communicate the truth about Cannabis. I hope New York listens. I am a registered patient in Vermont. You would be welcome here.
the U.S. is so behind the times or living with laws that where put in place back in the early 1900’s. it’s 2012 and time for a change. keeping marijuna illegal makes know sense. legelize marijuna.
Everything posted made a bunch of sense. However, what
about this? what if you were to write a killer headline?
I ain’t saying your information is not solid., however suppose you added something to maybe get a person’s attention?
I mean Citizen Advocacy 101 For Marijuana Legalization: Speak
Your Mind | NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform is kinda plain.
You ought to peek at Yahoo’s front page and see how they create post titles to get viewers to click. You might add a related video or a pic or two to get people excited about everything’ve written.
In my opinion, it could make your website a little bit more
interesting.
Greetings! I’ve been reading your weblog for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the good work!
A motivating discussion is worth comment.
I do believe that you ought to write more about this issue, it
may not be a taboo matter but generally people do not discuss
such topics. To the next! Best wishes!!
Thank-you Frank Mattioli; yes more people should speak up and make use of the internet and tools we have today. I’m puzzled though why we even need to do this? We’re talking about a plant, that many people use as medicine, for recreation and not to be overlooked, a good laugh, or a meditative mood. A plant which clearly the federal government and it’s Scheduling of cannabis as Schedule One is flawed; I’d say deeply flawed. It shouldn’t matter if there were 90% in favor, or 30% or 50%. They are wrong. Even before looking at the scientific data, even before comparing it to other “recreational drugs”, we have a plant that’s treated as if it were a dangerous drug. Ha, a dangerous drug… a highly addictive drug, like heroin.
It doesn’t matter what the public popularity of cannabis is, what matters is that laws against it are not right and unjust. Causing great harm to the people of America.
Hope you get your message across..
Cannabis really work wonders when used in the right way. More power to you, you are doing a great job..
We did our park and put up a website. http://medicalmarijuanainmassachusetts.com Medical MArijuana In Massachusetts. We advocate legalizing Marijuana. Not just medical reason but because of freedom. It should never been made illegal. Now the government want to tax it. Whats worse, Taxes or jail. Trick question. The man alway screws the people. People.
lawyers who love dope are the best criminal lawyers – if they can protect themselves, they can protect you
The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.
Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the other person’s web site
link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar for you.
That is a really good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very accurate information… Appreciate your sharing
this one. A must read post!
I love looking through a post that will make men and women think.
Also, thank you for allowing for me tto comment!
All Natural strains of marijuana should be legalized. People are smoking it anyhow! If they want it they will get it full stop.
The only thing should be banned is sympathetic marijuana as these can kill.
I know this an old post but I can’t agree more with the above comments.
Legalize Cannabis Now in Every State and every country. It is not harmful and its such a help towards pain.