Get Your Own Piece of NORML History!

Spring Membership Drive

Limited Edition NORML Collectibles

NORML is proud to announce the 2011 Spring Membership Drive, which means that each week, we will be offering exclusive collectible items available for a limited time only.  Starting today, and for this week only, if you join NORML as a “Citizen Advocate” you can have your own limited edition t-shirt from the historic 40th Annual National Conference.

NORML memberships are the lifeblood of the organization.  If you enjoy reading NORML’s articles or listening to the podcast, if have received free legal or drug testing advice, then we urge you to become a contributing member of the organization.  This will allow us to continue to bring you the most comprehensive, up-to-date information on all things related to marijuana law reform across the country.

There is a limited supply, and stock is running out fast!  For a special price you can get your t-shirt signed by NORML founder R. Keith Stroup!  Join NORML today and get your own piece of NORML history.

NORML National Conference 2011 – On Demand Video

Your home for exclusive coverage of NORML and cannabis community events

We’ve concluded the 40th Annual NORML Conference in Denver.  There are so many amazing moments, informative presentations, and great photographs to share.  We’ll be posting more throughout this week.

You can view most of the plenary sessions from all three days of the conference at our On Demand Video archive for NORML SHOW LIVE.  Click here to view all the videos from the conference.

These are the “raw feed” videos that were captured during the presentations so they are not edited.  You may have to cue ahead a minute or two to get to the beginnings of the presentations and there may be a couple that get cut off at the end by Stickam’s 65-minute time limit.

From these videos and from other hi-def recordings we are going to put together edited versions of these panels for a DVD that will be available through the NORML Online Store.

Here is the opening presentation – a look at the statistics on cannabis consumers in America (cue forward to 3:10 for the beginning):

NORML Network Free Live Stream of NORML Conference

The NORML Network presents NORML SHOW LIVE and John Doe Radio coverage of the 40th Annual NORML National Conference in Denver, Colorado – Thursday, April 21 through Saturday, April 23, 2011

Brought to you absolutely free by the donations of NORML supporters everywhere – do your part to help spread the growing truth about cannabis by donating today.

You can view our live streaming coverage of NORML Conference plenary panels by visiting our NORML.org page on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, or by visiting our NORML Network stream page at live.norml.org.

NORML Network’s John Doe Radio from Denver will be offering a complementary live stream from the vending and interview area of the conference at johndoeradio.com.

On Thursday you’ll get Russ Belville opening the show at 9am with dazzling graphs and statistics, followed by Keith Stroup talking about NORML at 40 years old.  Later you’ll see a panel on 2011/2012 State Marijuana Initiatives and then Montel Williams hosting a debate with six Denver Mayoral candidates.  Our final two panels will discuss the newest federal policies on medical marijuana and the evolving cannabis commercial industry.  That evening concludes with the HIGH TIMES / NORML Awards and a special three-song acoustic performance by Ziggy Marley!

On Friday we begin with Neill Franklin from LEAP delivering the perspective of law enforcement on the failure of prohibition.  Research experts will be on a panel discussing the non-THC cannabinoids in marijuana.  Two important demographics for reform – women and seniors – will be addressed in the next two panels by the NORML Women’s Alliance and a Seniors panel that includes Dr. Lester Grinspoon.  Allen St. Pierre speaks on the treatment of marijuana by the media and the day winds up with a Blogging and Social Networking panel.  That evening the Supervillians play a special $4.20 performance at the Bluebird Theater.

Our final day, Saturday, begins with breakout sessions on HIGH TIMES cultivation, Colorado’s cannabis commerce laws, medibles cooking, and expert NORML attorneys presentation on How Not to Get Busted.  At noon some of the country’s leading physicians offer perspectives on medical cannabis.  Next is our Keynote Luncheon featuring US Congressman Jared Polis followed by Paul Armentano and other experts presenting on Marijuana and Safety.   We conclude the day session with a special questions-and-answers event with Dr. Lester Grinspoon, the pioneer of medical marijuana in America.  That evening we’ll enjoy the NORML Annual Fundraiser with a performance by Greta Gaines.

Congressman Jared Polis: “Just as The Policy of Prohibition Failed Nationally With Alcohol – It’s Now Up To States And Counties – I Think We Should Do The Same With Marijuana”

United States Congressman Jared Polis, a Democrat representing Colorado’s second congressional district, is quickly establishing himself as one of the most outspoken federal critics of marijuana prohibition. This week he appeared on CBS’s Political Hotseat to discuss the success of Colorado’s medical marijuana law, and the futility of federal marijuana prohibition.

Rep. Jared Polis: Federal government shouldn’t be banning marijuana
via CBS News

Colorado Democratic Rep. Jared Polis said Wednesday that the federal government should not be in the business of regulating marijuana use by Americans.

“I don’t see a federal role,” he said in a “Washington Unplugged” interview, noting that his state is among those that allow medical marijuana use. (There is also a push in Colorado for full legalization.) “I don’t think that the federal side should be coming in and second guessing what states are doing.”

“Just as the policy of prohibition failed nationally with alcohol – it’s now up to states and counties – I think we should do the same with marijuana,” he said.

… Polis said it’s apparent that “we are not winning the drug war,” pointing to increased drug abuse and the flow of drugs across the southern border from criminal cartels.

“Drug abuse is fundamentally a medical issue, a health issue, more than a criminal issue,” he said.
The lawmaker asked people to ask themselves how they would want someone close to them to be treated if they were struggling with drug abuse.

“Do you think that person would have been better served by being in jail for several years or getting the help they needed to end their chemical dependency?” he asked.

Polis also pointed to a recent study finding that marijuana is already a $1.7 billion industry.

“It’s already created thousands of jobs in Colorado, several millions dollars of tax revenue – I really think that’s just the tip of the iceberg with regard to the potential of the industry in terms of job creation, revenue creation for the government,” he said.

You can watch multiple video clips from Polis’ interview here.

Like what you hear? You can hear more from Rep. Polis at NORML’s upcoming national conference, April 21 through April 23 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Denver, Colorado. Congressman Polis is this year’s Conference keynote speaker and will deliver Saturday’s luncheon lecture.

You can learn more about this year’s NORML Conference agenda and social events online here. Conference registration information is online here.

We look forward to seeing you in Denver.

Now Available: Discount Hotel Rooms For NORML Conference 2011

The 40th Annual NORML Conference Convenes April 21-23 In Denver

Boulder's 4/20

The host hotel is the centrally located and top-rated Grand Hyatt, where, NORML has procured steeply discounted hotel rooms (rack rate is usually $300-$350 night, our rooms start at $129).

The room block at the host hotel for NORML conferences always sells out almost right away, so please do not delay in making your room reservations right now. Earlybird conference registrations will be available online soon—along with the agenda and speakers list. Roundtrip flights to Denver from both coasts are currently around $200 on most airlines. A very good price!

Celebrating 4/20 At A Mile High

Denver's 4/20

Arrive before or early on April 20 in Colorado and be prepared for a 50,000 person ’4/20′ political rally in Denver, or, a 30,000 person ‘smoke-out’ rally (no political speeches or music, just an explosion of cannabis smoke at 4:20PM) 30 miles north at the University of Colorado @ Boulder.

I’ve been to both…and they’re equally amazing to behold.

Thanks in advance and please take advantage of these discount room rates ASAP to make sure you’re in the center of the action for the 40th annual NORML conference!