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.

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):

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.

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.

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!

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws invites you and your like-minded friends and family members to attend the organization’s 39th annual national conference in beautiful, cannabis-tolerant and hemp-friendly Portland, Oregon, Thursday, September 9 – Saturday, September 11.

The national NORML conference is America’s largest and oldest gathering of cannabis law reform activists.

With the call to legalize cannabis growing stronger and louder every year in America, this year’s apropos conference title and theme: Just Say Now!

The NORML 2010 conference is convening at the historic landmark The Governor Hotel in downtown Portland, right in the middle of the ‘free ride zone’ for the City’s famous and efficient transit system.

Like all previous NORML conferences, leading cannabis law reform activists, elected policymakers, lawyers, doctors, medical researchers, business leaders and educators will deliver speeches, papers and presentations regarding numerous aspects of cannabis.

You can review some of this year’s cutting edge conference topics here. Also, you can view past NORML conferences here.

Good News, Bad News Situation…
Bad news first… so popular are NORML’s national conferences that a single alert from NORML in March effectively sold out the entire large block of the host hotel’s discounted rooms.

The good news however is that steeply discounted hotel room rates have been negotiated for the overflow with a nearby, NORML-supportive hotel ($99/night as compared to $160/night at the host hotel).

Whether traveling from afar or from the greater Eugene-Portland-Seattle area, to make sure that you can attend this year’s Just Say Now! national conference, please register online. This year’s conference — based on how fast The Governor’s rooms sold out — looks to be another sell out, so please do not delay registering for the conference online or by calling toll-free @ 888-67-NORML.

Jack Herer Memorial Expo Hall And Conference Sponsorships Available
Vending tables and unique conference sponsorship packages are available. Check out the information online, call the toll-free number or email norml2010@norml.org for more details.

Previous NORML conferences have been sponsored by physicians, lawyers, accountants, cultivation experts, medical cannabis wellness centers and delivery services, insurance companies specializing in medical cannabis, cannabis education centers and ‘colleges’, medical delivery device makers, hemp and clothing retailers, as well as pro-reform organizations.

Learn, Love, Enjoy and Focus
Lastly, September 9-11 is a most propitious weekend to convene a NORML conference in Portland, a city with great nightlife (the Northwest Music Festival will be going on when we’re in town), a-m-a-z-i-n-g local microbrews and wines, wonderful eateries, arts & crafts and scenery.

Speaking of scenery and local color, September 11-12, Oregon’s largest pro-cannabis public event, Hempstalk, is also happening at a nearby state park on a large lawn, surrounded by 100-foot tall evergreens, at the confluence of two mighty northwest rivers, creating a lovely setting for a large pro-cannabis festival and celebration (featuring speakers, music, vendors, food and crafts). Our out-of-town guests may want to stay an extra day to attend Hempstalk.

Worried about the cost of renting a car, getting around Portland, parking and gas prices? Don’t be as this is one US city where a car is absolutely not necessary — from the airport to hotel to around town events — Portland’s transit system removes much of these concerns and costs.

Whether as a not-to-be-missed yearly cannabis law reform activity, a professional junket or part of one’s annual vacation to see amazing places, with really kind folks, please register ASAP for NORML’s 39th annual conference in Portland, Oregon this September.

Kind regards,

Allen St. Pierre
Executive Director
NORML / NORML Foundation
Washington, D.C.

Three of our favorite NORML Women (L-R): Anne Davis (NORML NJ), Madeline Martinez (Oregon NORML), Cheryl Shuman (Beverly Hills NORML 90210)

Daniela Perdomo has written a fantastic piece on Alternet entitled “The Secret to Legal Marijuana? Women” featuring a look at some of our favorite NORML women…

In 2005, only 32 percent of polled women told Gallup they approved legalizing pot, but this year 44 percent of them were for it, compared to 45 percent of men. In effect, women have narrowed what had been a 12-point gender gap.

Women are also smoking more weed. The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that current marijuana use increased from 3.8 to 4.5 percent among women, while there was no significant statistical change for men.

…Cheryl Shuman, a 49-year-old optician in Los Angeles, would agree. Up until she started using cannabis therapy to treat her cancer, she was on a daily regimen of 27 prescription drugs, attached to a mobile intravenous morphine pump, and undergoing constant CAT and MRI scans. In 2006, her doctors told her she’d be dead by the end of that year.

This year, Shuman became the founding director of Beverly Hills’ National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) chapter — and she hopes to attract women to the cause.

…Enter Jessica Corry, a pro-life Republican from Denver. A mother of girls aged two and four, this 30-year-old newly-minted lawyer is widely hailed as a rising star in Colorado politics. … Mothers like Corry are drawn to marijuana regulation as part of a larger appeal that encourages the use of harm reduction to more pragmatically deal with substance abuse. … This year, there was a 37 percent increase in teens who said pot is easier to buy than cigarettes, beer or prescription drugs. Nearly one-quarter said they can get weed within the hour.

Those stats matter to women. In light of this, children and family will be included in the mission statement of the Women’s Alliance, a group NORML will launch next year. The coordinator, Sabrina Fendrick, plans to include mention of how current marijuana policy undermines the American family and sends mixed messages to young people.

Be sure to click over and read the entire article, as it also spotlights important female allies like Valerie Corral, Mikki Norris, and Debbie Goldsberry, who have all generously donated their time and expertise to our NORML podcasts and numerous NORML conferences, and my newest acquaintance, Deborah Small, who presented on my panel at the DPA Reform Conference last month. I agree with Perdomo; women will be the key to ending adult marijuana prohibition, just as women were key to ending liquor prohibition.

Ladies, won’t you join us? NORML is always looking for accomplished and confident women to join and lead chapters at the grassroots level all across the country. Send me an email at russ@norml.org and I can put you in touch with Sabrina and the forthcoming NORML Women’s Alliance as well.

Update: Audio from Today is now available

Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School

Chris Goldstein and Russ Belville are collecting all the photos, audio, and video from the conference for upload as the day continues.