One of the most prominent pillars of NORML, going back to the earliest days of our organization, has died.
Author: Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Counsel
Ironically, the marijuana legalization issue, which was a "hot button" political issue for decades, the discussion of which could almost be guaranteed to destroy a Thanksgiving dinner with extended family, may now become fertile common ground where those of us who may not agree on some other important issues, nonetheless can congregate and begin to rebuild a sense of community.
It is a good time to be alive if you are a marijuana smoker and it’s only going to get better!
As we approach the 2020 Presidential election, it is fair to ask what this election means to marijuana consumers. Will the outcome of this Presidential election impact marijuana policy moving forward; and if so, in what way? Elections have consequences, and this election will surely have consequences for the marijuana smoking community.
This long slow trudge to overcome the misinformation and exaggerated fears about marijuana was the result of the effective public advocacy and lobbying efforts of dedicated individuals who made this issue a priority.
Rick was both a principal sponsor and a major financial supporter of the successful Washington state marijuana legalization initiative approved by the voters of his state in 2012, making Washington, along with Colorado, the first two states to end criminal prohibition and replace it with a legal regulated system.
One of them grabbed me by the shoulder, showed me his police badge and shouted, “You are old enough to know better than to be smoking marijuana,” as he placed me under arrest…They seemed far more upset that two old men were smoking pot!
Of the several experts who were part of our regular “road show” at NORML during the 1970s, I wanted to focus today on two of them who were both unexpected and wonderfully effective — Dr. Dorthy Whipple and former DEA Deputy Director John Finlator.