NEW I-502 TV Ads: Former Federal Law Enforcement Officials Support Marijuana Legalization

New Approach Washington, the campaign behind Washington State’s marijuana legalization initiative (I-502), has just released two new television ads that began airing today. What makes these advertisements even more notable is that they both prominently feature former federal law enforcement officials. The importance of this is perfectly summed up by former NORML Board Member and writer for Washington’s “The Stranger,” Dominic Holden:

This is a big deal: The new ads for Initiative 502 that begin airing today, which encourage Washington to become the first state to legalize marijuana, star former federal law enforcement.

I know—if you watch politics around here, you know they’re on board and their endorsement seems… banal. Don’t be jaded. Former US Attorneys John McKay and Kate Pflaumer, along with the FBI’s Charlie Mandigo, make the most persuasive case for legalization: Pot laws result in using limited law enforcement resources that should instead be focused on violent crime.

Every time that pot legalization—even decriminalization—has gone to voters in other states, federal law enforcement have delivered the coup de grace, largely by virtue of their credibility. This time, it’s the opposite. These prosecutors and an agent get in the first word for legalization, and with $1 million in the bank and up to $2 million more on the way, the New Approach Washington campaign is going to hit this message hard. This is a coup.

SOURCE

You can view the new TV spots below. Please share as widely as possible with your friends and family. Together we can end marijuana prohibition, let’s Smoke the Vote in November. Previous polling for I-502 in September had support for the effort at 57%, help us keep up the momentum going into election day by educating everyone you know about the importance of cannabis reform in the 2012 election. You can learn more about these initiatives and the presidential candidates’ statements on marijuana by reading NORML’s voter guide available here.

YES ON I-502!

You can visit the campaign’s website for more info here.

Last Chance To Register For NORML’s 41st Annual National Conference

These are the last days to register online to attend NORML’s 2012 national conference, ‘The Final Days of Prohibition,’ taking place Thursday, October 4th through Saturday, October 6th at The Omni Los Angeles Hotel.

Former CA Assemblyman and peace activist Tom Hayden will speak on Thursday morning. Best-selling travel author and TV host Rick Steves and NORML Founder Keith Stroup will address attendees at Friday’s Keynote luncheon, "Observations on the Final Days of Prohibition".

Round-table sessions and plenary speeches at NORML’s 41st annual conference include:

States NORML’s Executive Director Allen St. Pierre: “2012 marks the beginning of the end of cannabis prohibition. A majority of Americans for the first time now acknowledge wanting to end marijuana prohibition and replace it with a system of legalization and regulation, and this November, voters in a handful of states are poised to embrace this common sense policy. The 2012 national NORML Conference reflects upon the decades of failure imposed by prohibition, celebrates our recent progress at amending this policy, and looks forward to the very near future when cannabis prohibition is abolished once and for all.”

Social events include a Wednesday night welcoming reception, a Thursday night Activist Awards Ceremony, a joint High Times/NORML party and ‘Not-So-Silent’ Auction, a NORML Women’s Alliance Luncheon, and a Saturday night fundraiser at ‘The Hemp Museum’ in downtown Los Angeles.

NORML invites the public to join hundreds of like-minded marijuana law reformers at the nation’s only annual conference dedicated to ending cannabis prohibition.

Online registration and day passes, as well as details regarding conference speakers, agenda, and social events, is available at here.

National Voter Registration Day: Help NORML Smoke the Vote in 2012!

Today, September 25th, is National Voter Registration Day and never has it been more important to make sure you are registered to vote and are ready to let your voice be heard this election. With three states voting on outright legalization, several voting on medical marijuana measures, many local municipalities voting on decriminalization, and a presidential campaign, this fall will be one for the history books.

You can utilize NORML’s 2012 Election Guide: Smoke the Vote by clicking here or on the poster image at the bottom of the page. This guide provides you with a variety of tools to prepare you for November 6th. Use our resources to register to vote, find your polling place, learn about all the marijuana voter initiatives, and see the presidential candidates‘ public statements on marijuana policy all on one convenient page. To make it even easier, you can register to vote quickly, right from this page, by using NORML’s rock the vote widget below.

Together we will legalize marijuana and we can start this fall. Won’t you help us Smoke the Vote?

Marijuana Law Reform Activism In Full Display At Famous Michigan Bridge Walk

Another great example from the field this past weekend from upper Michigan, where numerous volunteers from Michigan NORML chapters showed the reform colors (green of course!) at a famous annual event in the state that historically marks the end of summer in the region.

One of the best ways to get more and more citizens involved in cannabis law reform via the NORML chapter network is to participate as an organized group at major local events, parades and charity walks (i.e., for a number of years Oregon NORML was an active and vocal supporter of Portland’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness March).

Below is the enthusiastic field report from Michigan.

Hi folks,

Attached is a pic from the inaugural Michigan NORML Annual Bridge Walkto End Hemp & Cannabis Prohibition. This year marked the first time Michigan NORML hosted their Bridge Walk to End Hemp & Cannabis Prohibition, but we have already started to organize next year’s crossing!

Our inaugural crossing included nearly 60 MINORML members and supporters who made the 5+ mile walk across the Mighty Mackinac Bridge and the Mackinaw Straits, the place where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet, in just over two hours. The weather was perfect, low 60′s at 7:00 a.m., and over 70 by the time our group reached the finish line and more of our supporters on the other side.

This event draws 40,000+ annual walkers including politicians, families, businesses, and organizations from across the state.

Michigan NORML was announced at the beginning of the walk on the radio and to walkers by a local country radio station doing a remote broadcast from the event. We were cheered by our supporters and a surprising number of people who were not officially with our contingent as we completed our crossing, just ahead of a 94 year old walker!

More images are available at http://www.facebook.com/normlbrad

Thank you,

Brad Forrester
Local Program Director
Cheboygan County Affiliate of the Michigan Chapter of the
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

NC NORML is LIVE at the Democratic Convention

STREAMING LIVE

9/4/2012 at 5:30pm

Watch Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson, former special agent Jamie Haase, and southern rock artist Greta Gaines as they speak live on behalf of North Carloina NORML to raise awareness and support for ending marijuana prohibition at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte.

Live video by Ustream