Dozens of activists from all around the state took buses, drove cars and rode trains to Albany to join the campaign in launching and lobbying for the substantially amended bill. After the excellent citizen lobby day training provided by the Drug Policy Alliance, the group split up to divide and conquer before the press conference hitting as many offices as they could as well as attending scheduled meetings.
Category: NORML Chapters
Las Vegas NORML Ramps up Advocacy Efforts
Members of Las Vegas NORML focus on home cultivation, social consumption and protections for medical marijuana patients. Pending legislation would re-establishing patient cultivation rights, permit medical marijuana research facilities, and add PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.
Social Consumption of Marijuana off to a Slow Start in Colorado
For more than a year, members of Denver NORML have advocated for the social consumption of marijuana in Colorado. In Denver, city officials were able to publish draft rules for I-300, but SB-184, a statewide effort to regulate social consumption died in committee.
Atlanta City Council Considers Decriminalization of Marijuana
With a City Council vote scheduled next Monday, Atlanta could join a growing list of cities around the country that have adopted a more pragmatic approach for dealing with marijuana-related offenses on the local level. Kansas City, Houston, Memphis, Nashville, Tampa, Orlando, Milwaukee, Monona, Toledo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and several others have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Michigan NORML Joins Fight to Legalize Marijuana in 2018
Marijuana activists across Michigan are gearing up for a renewed effort to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and up. Last week the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol took the first steps to qualify their new proposal for the 2018 ballot by formally submitting language to the State of Michigan for review. If approved, Michigan will become the ninth state to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and up.
Texas: HB 2107 Stalls at the Deadline – A Letter from Texas NORML Executive Director
It is important that we keep our lobbying efforts alive and sustain the work we are doing at the Capitol and across the state. There will be major opportunities in front of us that we must be ready to capitalize on.
We learned a lot. We are carbon pressed to diamonds. We must continue to slice away at prohibition!
Historic: Decriminalization is Scheduled to Be Heard on the Texas House Floor
HB 81, to decriminalize marijuana from jail time to a simple ticket, will be heard by the full Texas House.
Impactful and Heartfelt Hearing Creates Historic Support for Texas Medical Cannabis Bill
Late in the evening on Tuesday, May 2nd, the House Public Health Committee held a hearing for HB 2107 which would make the Compassionate Use Program more inclusive for patients with debilitating medical conditions. Many patients stayed late into the evening to provide powerful and emotional testimony. After a powerful hearing with targeted testimony, the authors for the bill jumped from 5 to 75! This is historic and unprecedented in Texas.
Grassroots Activism Fuels Marijuana Law Reforms in the Lone Star State
Grassroots activists across the Lone Star State mobilize in support of HB 2107. If passed, HB 2107 would make the Compassionate Use Program more inclusive for Texas patients with debilitating medical conditions. Supporters are encouraged to contact their representatives today!
Supporters of Marijuana Legalization Rally in Easton’s Centre Square
Supporters of marijuana legalization gathered in Easton’s Centre Square to rally for marijuana law reforms on the local and state level. Members of Lehigh Valley NORML provided educational materials to attendees and spoke about several marijuana bills being considered by state lawmakers.