First off – a huge thank you to all of those activists and chapter leads from around the country who came to DC to participate in our National Conference and Lobby Day.
By the numbers:
– 140+ attendees
– 21 speakers
– 5 members of Congress
– 150+ congressional meetings
– 1 goal: End marijuana prohibition.
More to come as we follow up with our attendees and continue to build on the momentum generated (and have our photographer send us the rest of the pictures!).
Some of the feedback from the lobby day we received:
Mikel Weisser, Executive Director of Arizona NORML in a meeting with Senator Flake’s staffer, reported “She [Katie] is familiar with Endocannabinoid Receptor System. It is one of her policy issue areas. She said she did not know if the Senator was aware of the E.R.S., so I wrote a short note on [the] materials and she said she would show him.”
In a meeting with Senator Casey’s staffer, Les Stark, head of the Keystone Cannabis Coalition reported “They are open to the issue but do not seem very bold. They don’t want to set too far ahead of the Pennsylvania legislature…we intend to follow-up.”
Jane Preece, in a meeting with Senator Harris’s staffer, reported “Ms. Hira is smart and is interested in the recent research showing pot is safe and effective.”
It’s great to have people with enough patience to talk to congress members.
IF it were me, I’d have them across the table ready to hit em fair and square in the head for their continued stupidity and ignorance. That coupled with their constant failure to uphold the will of the people is infuriating!!!
Prohibition should have been ended 20 or 30 years ago. There is NO excuse at this point.
I wish I could have been there.
However, I find inspiration in our common cause and progress, which are always under assault. I’m “out of the closet,” to borrow a useful expression from the perpetually oppressed gay community, and I also give my elected officials an earful, with the help of political organisations like NORML!
I hope if you are reading this blog and feel the same as I do, that you will click on the links in these NORML blogs when they appear, and write your representatives. It’s easy, free to use, and I believe it makes a difference.
Let’s keep fighting reefer madness (or as it’s called these days, “alternative facts!”)
Justin, first off, we all as NORML members are in awe of the fact that you can keep up with this blog and lobby our Congressman within a week’s time! Anytime you feel the opportunity to advance legislation to reform marijuana law prioritizes the maintenence of this blog, you dont need our permission to educate and convince our State or Federal Congress! Ive been posting here religiously for more years than I can count and believe me, I can wait for a Congressman!!
Lobbying our Congressman… as citizens or paid representatives of consumers of marijuana… whether for our Congressman or our preferred marijuana reforming candidate… who may or may not agree with the troublesome facts surrounding marijuana and its legalization… is ALWAYS the priority of any NORML chapter. Everyone should feel empowered to do learn something and educate… especially when the truth makes us uncomfortable.
BTW… the DMV NORML Coaltion needs to find an award that doesnt look like a bong! (Or is that why Eleanour looks so happy?) 🙂
They need to find an award that looks like a flexdrawtube oneheater. In fact, a flexdrawtube oneheater would be the most relevant possible award. Once the Joint is gone for good there will be no remaining monoxcide reason to ban any man, woman or child from serving a 25-mg Single Vapetoke.
Thank you!
May the Congress sooner than later Stop meddling in DC legalization!
I commend all who are willing to fight this fight I do want to admit that I’m not brave enough to even put my name and address because of ramifications it’s ridiculous that an American citizen has to be that afraid but I am and I know many others are as well