NORML

A Voice for Responsible Cannabis Consumers. A nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests of the millions of Americans who consume marijuana responsibly.

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This 4/20, contact your member of Congress and demand that we end marijuana prohibition once & for all! #Legalize http://thndr.me/vX1KR6

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To legalize, tax, and regulate adult use of marijuana: Make a plan, find Prop 64, vote #YesOn64 http://thndr.me/GJemTz

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Build your own Cannabis empire in this new game featuring NORML! http://apple.co/25k1Lc3

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Join the call to ↑ harm reduction funding, end criminalization of drug use #10by20 #HarmReductionDecade Pls Sign & RT http://thndr.me/4FSq9S

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Marijuana pushes the limits in the inexact science of DUID | News21: America’s Weed Rush

Law enforcement deals with impaired drivers every day. But discrepancies in legal limits and testing procedures vary from state to state.

Here's another interesting article from News 21's cannabis legalization project:

One of the biggest struggles for legalization regulation is how to determine what constitutes "driving under the influence". The current 5 nanogram THC law that exists in Colorado can unfairly target medical patients or regular consumers, due to the fact that THC can remain in the body days after consumption.

Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML, is quoted in the article saying "In every state already, it is a criminal violation to drive under the influence of a substance that can impair judgment. There is no need to amend those laws in a manner that is entirely arbitrary and unscientific. If we’re concerned about individuals driving impaired, then the last thing we ought to do is amend the traffic safety laws so that a guilty conviction is divorced from any evidence of impairment."

What do you think about the current DUID limits in Colorado? Tell us in the comments!

Read the full article on News 21:

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American Indian tribes plan to make marijuana a cash crop

As more states legalise the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana, American Indians are looking to grow the crop on tribal land

From The Telegraph​, "American Indian tribes plan to make marijuana a cash crop". Due to tribal land's unique legal status, many Native American tribes are now looking to grow and regulate cannabis through the same mechanism they can operate casinos. Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director of NORML, is quoted in the article saying “It is certainly significant, America has seen some tribes go from being economically disadvantaged to becoming powerful economic and political players through the introduction of one industry, gambling. Now the same could be happening with marijuana.” Do you think this is a good development for legalization? Tell us in the comments!

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RESEARCH UPDATE:

Paul Armentano, NORML's Deputy Director, just posted to the NORML Blog about a new medical cannabis case study!

Read Paul's blog post at the link above!

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Why Montana Is Going Backward on Medical Marijuana

What remains of the industry in Big Sky Country could hinge on an upcoming court ruilng.

From NBC News​ and News 21, "Why Montana Is Going Backward on Medical Marijuana"

In 2004, the medical marijuana industry in Montana was booming, with 30,000 patients and 4,900 providers. But now, the movement has been stifled by state legislators and grass-roots opponents.

"State Senator David Howard, who helped lead the movement against marijuana in Montana, said marijuana is no medicine. 'That's what they wanted you to think it was — medicine,' he said. 'It has no practical applications, and it was tearing apart Montana.' Depending on how the court rules, providers could be banned from charging anything besides $50 license fees and renewals. They could be limited to three patients each and blocked from advertising."

Montana's medical system is in jeopardy, and we need Montana citizens to get involved with Montana NORML​ and defend your right for access to medical cannabis!

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East New York: It's still law enforcement target for marijuana possession | News21: America’s Weed Rush

The New York City administration and police decriminalized minor marijuana possession, but the racial disparity within the violations persists. Stop, question and frisk incidents are at an all-time low and The Brooklyn District Attorney.

Another article out of News 21's cannabis project: "East New York: It's still law enforcement target for marijuana possession".

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio​ decriminalized marijuana possession in 2014, yet police are still constantly patrolling low-income neighborhoods in the city for marijuana citations.

Read the full article on News 21 above!

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Pro-legalization groups prepare for marijuana measures in 2016

Advocacy groups have poured millions of dollars into legalizing both recreational and medical marijuana in states across the country.

Check out this terrific article from News 21's 'America's Weed Rush' project!

Journalists from News 21 compiled this extremely thorough and up-to-date synopsis of the current state of cannabis in the U.S. From Arizona, California, and every other state looking at ballot initiatives in 2016, to the groups like NORML and MPP who are leading the charge, this is an excellent overview of the status of legalization in America.

Read the full article and get informed above!

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While we remain opposed to recreational marijuana, we believe medical marijuana should be available in the state.

More good news from Wyoming!

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle​ has come out in support of NORML Wyoming​'s medical marijuana initiative. The paper had previously supported decriminalization efforts, but now has changed its stance and supports giving the citizens of Wyoming the access to medicine that they deserve. “We previously have favored decriminalization for small amounts of the drug but not any form of legalization. Yet there is enough anecdotal evidence that we have come to believe medical marijuana can - in certain and controlled circumstances - be beneficial to people in Wyoming.”

You can donate to Wyoming NORML's medical marijuana initiative here. (They have $8,700 out of $15,000 raised in a month!)

Read more on the Wyoming Tribune Eagle above!

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Final update from the NORML Nation Chapter Contest!

Here are your winners:

1st - Virginia NORML​ ($1,000) 2nd - Peachtree NORML​ ($500) 3rd - PhillyNORML​ ($250)

Thanks to all of our hardworking chapters for making the #NORMLnation Membership Drive a success! We'll be working on getting the membership orders fulfilled in the coming weeks!

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Colombia decriminalizes private marijuana cultivation

Colombia's Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that growing up to 20 plants of marijuana is not a crime.

Here's #MondayMotivation from #NORML!

Last Tuesday, Colombia's Supreme Court decided that growing up to 20 cannabis plants in Colombia is no longer a crime!

The appeal came from a man who had been caught with a recently cut plant (weighing 124 grams), and was sentenced to more than five years in prison. The maximum amount of cannabis that can be legally carried in Colombia is 20 grams. The court ruled in the man's favor, decriminalizing up to 20 plants for home grow.

This is a huge win for Colombia, and shows the battle for #legalization is being won day by day all over the world!

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America’s Weed Rush

“America’s Weed Rush,” an investigation of marijuana legalization in America.

Good morning cannabis activists!

"'America's Weed Rush' is the 2015 project of the Carnegie-Knight News21 program. 27 journalism students from 19 universities traveled through half of the country to report on the politics, regulation and science behind the nation’s marijuana movement."

The project has resulted in articles about nearly every aspect of the legalization movement, including Politics, Medical, Recreational, Science, Money, and Enforcement.

We'll be featuring stories and reports from News21's "America's Weed Rush" throughout the week, check out the articles for great information about cannabis legalization in America!

Read more on News 21 above!

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Colorado pot sales spike in June, top $50M for first time

The retail pot sales figures for June 2015 also saw their largest-ever month-over-month increase, adding credibility to 2014 trends that hinted at marijuana sales spiking in Colorado tourism's high seasons of summer and winter.

ECONOMIC UPDATE:

Great results out of Colorado! Cannabis sales spiked in June, breaking $50 million for the first time in the industry's existence! Marijuana sales jumped more than $7.6 million from May to June in the Rocky Mountain state.

When asked about cannabis tourism contributing to the increase in sales, State Senator Pat Steadman​ said "It might be too early to say for sure that there’s these patterns, but you can explain some of them if you think about the winter sport tourism or summer tourism or other things happening — vacations, wedding parties, graduations. It’s a lifestyle thing.”

More proof that legalization works and benefits the economy!

LAST DAY to join the #NORMLnation: norml.org/normlnation

Read the full article on The Cannabist​ above!

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#NORML Nation Chapter Contest Update! Here is the leaderboard:

1st - Virginia NORML (36) 2nd - Peachtree NORML (28) 3rd - Purdue NORML (15) and Philly NORML (15) Runner Ups - Pittsburgh NORML (14), Roanoke Valley NORML (11), Northern WI NORML (8), San Antonio NORML (7), California NORML (6), Texas NORML (6), Waco NORML (5), and Kentucky NORML (5)

Remember, the #NORMLnation Membership Drive ends TONIGHT at 11:59pm PST! Less than 12 hours left to help your chapter win grant money from NORML!

Share this link: norml.org/normlnation

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Medical marijuana initiative launches in Wyoming | WyoFile

This week Wyoming NORML launches an initiative to legalize medical marijuana that is named for a woman train engineer.

Good news out of Wyoming, thanks to NORML Wyoming​! This week, cannabis activists with Wyoming NORML will start collecting signatures for a medical marijuana initiative for 2016! The initiative is called the Peggy A. Kelley Wyoming Cannabis Act of 2016, named after the late medical cannabis activist. Wyoming NORML is currently trying to raise $15,000 for the required materials and manpower to collect the needed signatures. If you're interested in helping in the fight for medical marijuana, go to their page and get involved! We'll have more updates about Wyoming NORML soon! (http://www.wyomingnorml.org/) LAST DAY to join the #NORMLnation: norml.org/normlnation Read the full article on WyoFile​ above!