National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
March 04, 2023
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML/ˈnɔːrməl/(listen)) is a social welfare organization based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States regarding both medical and non-medical use. According to their website, NORML supports "the removal of all penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults, including cultivation for personal use, and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts" and advocates for "the creation of a legal and regulatory framework for marijuana's production and retail sale to adults".[1] NORML also has a sister organization, NORML Foundation, that focuses on educational efforts and providing legal assistance and support to people affected negatively by current marijuana laws.[2] NORML maintains chapters in a number of US states as well as outside the US in countries such as Canada, France, New Zealand, and South Africa.[3][4]
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
NORML was founded in 1970 by Keith Stroup. It originally started with $5,000 in funding from the Playboy Foundation. Since then, the organization has played a central role in the cannabis decriminalization movement. At the start of the 1970s, the premier decriminalization organizations were Legalize Marijuana, better known as LeMar, and Amorphia, the two of which merged in 1971.[5] The next year, Amorphia led the unsuccessful campaign for California's marijuana legalization initiative, Proposition 19.[6] In 1974, Amorphia merged with NORML.[5]
By the middle of the 1970s, Playboy owner Hugh Hefner's financial support through the Playboy Foundation set NORML apart from its predecessors, making it the premier decriminalization advocacy group. At one point, Hefner was donating $100,000 a year to NORML.[6]
The organization has a large grassroots network with 135 chapters and over 550 lawyers. NORML holds annual conferences and Continuing Legal Education (CLE)-accredited seminars. Its board of directors has, at times, included political figures as Philip Hart, Jacob K. Javits, and Ross Mirkarimi.[7]
In 1989, Donald Fiedler succeeded Jon Gettman as the executive director of NORML. In August 1992, Richard Cowan became executive director of NORML. Keith Stroup became executive director once again in 1995 after Cowan stepped down. In 2016, Erik Altieri was selected by the NORML Board of Directors to become the organization's 7th Executive Director. In 2021, travel writer Rick Steves became the chairman of the Board of Directors.[8]
Media and activism
In the 2006 United States midterm elections, NORML promoted several successful local initiatives that declared marijuana enforcement to be the lowest priority for local law enforcement, freeing up police resources to combat violent and serious crime.[9]
In early 2009, a petition to President Barack Obama was written asking that he appoint a "drug czar" who would treat drug abuse as a health issue rather than a criminal issue and will move away from a "War on Drugs" paradigm. NORML's goal for this petition was 100,000 signatures.
Also in early 2009, when the Kellogg Company dropped its contract with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps after pictures of his use of a bong surfaced in the media, head members of NORML began boycotting Kellogg products and urging all members and supporters of NORML to boycott Kellogg, until the company reversed the decision. NORML also suggested that supporters of the cause send emails or letters to Kellogg explaining the boycott and the reasons behind it, and providing a template for emails and letters. Although Kellogg's profits did not suffer in the first quarter of 2009,[10] consumer ratings polls at Vanno[11] have been cited as indicating that Kellogg's reputation has suffered. Specifically, a small poll of Kellogg's brand reputation at Vanno showed a drop from its previous rank of 9 to 83 after Kellogg decided not to renew its contract with Phelps.[12][13]
Signs promoting NORML at the Twin Cities Pride Parade in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2013
On February 15, 2010, a 15-second flash animation from NORML discussing the potential economic and financial benefit of legalized marijuana was deemed by CBS to be "too political" to display on billboards in New York City's Times Square. This drew criticism in the blogosphere and accusations of hypocrisy on Twitter, since CBS had recently aired an anti-abortion television spot during the 2010 Super Bowl.[14] CBS reversed its decision and the ad was debuted on the CBS Times Square Superscreen on April 20, 2010.[15]
Sub-organizations
NORML Foundation
The NORML Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization[16] that conducts educational and research activities. Examples of the NORML Foundation's advocacy work is a detailed 2006 report, Emerging Clinical Applications For Cannabis.[17] A comprehensive report with county-by-county marijuana arrest data, Crimes of Indiscretion: Marijuana Arrest in America, was published in 2005.[18]
In October 1998, NORML Foundation published the NORML Report on U.S. Domestic Marijuana Production that was widely cited in the mainstream media. The report methodically estimated the value and number of cannabis plants grown in 1997, finding that Drug Enforcement Administration, state and local law enforcement agencies seized 32% of domestic cannabis plants planted that year. According to the report, "Marijuana remains the fourth largest cash crop in America despite law enforcement spending an estimated $10 billion annually to pursue efforts to outlaw the plant."[19] Recent studies show that marijuana is larger than all other cash crops combined.[20]
In 2002, the organization used ads containing quotes by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg on his past use of cannabis, saying "You bet I did. And I enjoyed it." The mayor said "I’m not thrilled they’re using my name. I suppose there’s that First Amendment that gets in the way of me stopping it," but maintained that the NYPD will continue to vigorously enforce the laws.[21]
^"Find a Chapter". NORML. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
^"International Chapters". NORML. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
^ abJoshua Clark Davis. (November 6, 2014). The Long Marijuana-Rights Movement. September 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
^ abJoshua Clark Davis, , The Sixties: A Journal of Politics, Culture and Society, Summer 2015
^Carlson, Peter (January 4, 2005). "Exhale, Stage Left". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
^"NORML Elects Budget Travel Guru Rick Steves as New Board President". MERRY JANE. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
^"NORML: Frequently Asked Questions". National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
^Scott Eden (April 30, 2009). . TheStreet. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
^. vanno.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
^"Dumping Phelps Over Bong Rip Damages Kellogg's Brand Reputation". The Business Insider. February 23, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
^Graham, Nicholas (February 24, 2009). "Kellogg's Brand Damaged By Dumping Michael Phelps". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
^"CBS rejects NORML legalization billboard, but accepts "Black Children are an Endangered Species" anti-abortion billboard". NORML. February 15, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
^. NORML. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
^"The Norml Foundation | Washington, DC | Cause IQ". www.causeiq.com.
^"Recent Research on Medical Marijuana". National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. February 3, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
^"Crimes of Indiscretion". National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. March 7, 2005. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
^"NORML Report on U.S. Domestic Marijuana Production". National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. March 7, 2005. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
^Bailey, Eric (December 18, 2006). "Pot is called biggest cash crop". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
^NYC Mayor Bloomberg's Pot Use is NORML: Drugwar.com June 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
Davis, Joshua Clark (2015). "The business of getting high: head shops, countercultural capitalism, and the marijuana legalization movement". The Sixties. 8 (1): 27–49. doi:10.1080/17541328.2015.1058480. hdl:11603/7422. S2CID 142795620.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Official website
High in America -- The True Story Behind NORML and the Politics of Marijuana (by Patrick Anderson)
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The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws NORML ˈ n ɔːr m el listen is a social welfare organization based in Washington D C that advocates for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States regarding both medical and non medical use According to their website NORML supports the removal of all penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults including cultivation for personal use and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts and advocates for the creation of a legal and regulatory framework for marijuana s production and retail sale to adults 1 NORML also has a sister organization NORML Foundation that focuses on educational efforts and providing legal assistance and support to people affected negatively by current marijuana laws 2 NORML maintains chapters in a number of US states as well as outside the US in countries such as Canada France New Zealand and South Africa 3 4 National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana LawsAbbreviationNORML Established1970 53 years ago FoundersKeith Stroup Legal status501 c 4 organization HeadquartersWashington D C Websitewww wbr norml wbr org Contents 1 History 2 Media and activism 3 Sub organizations 3 1 NORML Foundation 3 2 State and local chapters 3 3 International chapters 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksHistory EditNORML was founded in 1970 by Keith Stroup It originally started with 5 000 in funding from the Playboy Foundation Since then the organization has played a central role in the cannabis decriminalization movement At the start of the 1970s the premier decriminalization organizations were Legalize Marijuana better known as LeMar and Amorphia the two of which merged in 1971 5 The next year Amorphia led the unsuccessful campaign for California s marijuana legalization initiative Proposition 19 6 In 1974 Amorphia merged with NORML 5 By the middle of the 1970s Playboy owner Hugh Hefner s financial support through the Playboy Foundation set NORML apart from its predecessors making it the premier decriminalization advocacy group At one point Hefner was donating 100 000 a year to NORML 6 NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri is joined by U S Representatives Don Young and Tulsi Gabbard at a press conference outside the U S Capitol 2019 The organization has a large grassroots network with 135 chapters and over 550 lawyers NORML holds annual conferences and Continuing Legal Education CLE accredited seminars Its board of directors has at times included political figures as Philip Hart Jacob K Javits and Ross Mirkarimi 7 In 1989 Donald Fiedler succeeded Jon Gettman as the executive director of NORML In August 1992 Richard Cowan became executive director of NORML Keith Stroup became executive director once again in 1995 after Cowan stepped down In 2016 Erik Altieri was selected by the NORML Board of Directors to become the organization s 7th Executive Director In 2021 travel writer Rick Steves became the chairman of the Board of Directors 8 Media and activism EditIn the 2006 United States midterm elections NORML promoted several successful local initiatives that declared marijuana enforcement to be the lowest priority for local law enforcement freeing up police resources to combat violent and serious crime 9 In early 2009 a petition to President Barack Obama was written asking that he appoint a drug czar who would treat drug abuse as a health issue rather than a criminal issue and will move away from a War on Drugs paradigm NORML s goal for this petition was 100 000 signatures Also in early 2009 when the Kellogg Company dropped its contract with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps after pictures of his use of a bong surfaced in the media head members of NORML began boycotting Kellogg products and urging all members and supporters of NORML to boycott Kellogg until the company reversed the decision NORML also suggested that supporters of the cause send emails or letters to Kellogg explaining the boycott and the reasons behind it and providing a template for emails and letters Although Kellogg s profits did not suffer in the first quarter of 2009 10 consumer ratings polls at Vanno 11 have been cited as indicating that Kellogg s reputation has suffered Specifically a small poll of Kellogg s brand reputation at Vanno showed a drop from its previous rank of 9 to 83 after Kellogg decided not to renew its contract with Phelps 12 13 Signs promoting NORML at the Twin Cities Pride Parade in Minneapolis Minnesota in 2013 On February 15 2010 a 15 second flash animation from NORML discussing the potential economic and financial benefit of legalized marijuana was deemed by CBS to be too political to display on billboards in New York City s Times Square This drew criticism in the blogosphere and accusations of hypocrisy on Twitter since CBS had recently aired an anti abortion television spot during the 2010 Super Bowl 14 CBS reversed its decision and the ad was debuted on the CBS Times Square Superscreen on April 20 2010 15 Sub organizations EditNORML Foundation Edit The NORML Foundation is a 501 c 3 organization 16 that conducts educational and research activities Examples of the NORML Foundation s advocacy work is a detailed 2006 report Emerging Clinical Applications For Cannabis 17 A comprehensive report with county by county marijuana arrest data Crimes of Indiscretion Marijuana Arrest in America was published in 2005 18 In October 1998 NORML Foundation published the NORML Report on U S Domestic Marijuana Production that was widely cited in the mainstream media The report methodically estimated the value and number of cannabis plants grown in 1997 finding that Drug Enforcement Administration state and local law enforcement agencies seized 32 of domestic cannabis plants planted that year According to the report Marijuana remains the fourth largest cash crop in America despite law enforcement spending an estimated 10 billion annually to pursue efforts to outlaw the plant 19 Recent studies show that marijuana is larger than all other cash crops combined 20 In 2002 the organization used ads containing quotes by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg on his past use of cannabis saying You bet I did And I enjoyed it The mayor said I m not thrilled they re using my name I suppose there s that First Amendment that gets in the way of me stopping it but maintained that the NYPD will continue to vigorously enforce the laws 21 State and local chapters Edit Indiana NORML Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition MassCann NORML Minnesota NORML Ohio NORML Oregon NORML Portland NORML Texas NORML Wisconsin NORML International chapters Edit NORML international chapters 22 NORML Canada NORML France NORML Ireland NORML New Zealand Otago NORML NORML South Africa NORML UKSee also EditLegalization of non medical cannabis in the United States Medical cannabis in the United StatesReferences Edit Adult Use NORML Retrieved January 2 2021 About NORML NORML Retrieved January 2 2021 Find a Chapter NORML Retrieved September 30 2022 International Chapters NORML Retrieved September 30 2022 a b Joshua Clark Davis November 6 2014 The Long Marijuana Rights Movement Archived September 11 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Huffington Post Retrieved August 3 2016 a b Joshua Clark Davis The Business of Getting High Head Shops Countercultural Capitalism and the Marijuana Legalization Movement The Sixties A Journal of Politics Culture and Society Summer 2015 Carlson Peter January 4 2005 Exhale Stage Left The Washington Post Retrieved July 25 2022 NORML Elects Budget Travel Guru Rick Steves as New Board President MERRY JANE Retrieved February 12 2021 NORML Frequently Asked Questions National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Scott Eden April 30 2009 Kellogg Beats Targets Despite Weaker Sales TheStreet Archived from the original on June 6 2011 Retrieved August 21 2010 Kellogg Reputation Scores vanno com Archived from the original on May 1 2009 Retrieved June 5 2009 Dumping Phelps Over Bong Rip Damages Kellogg s Brand Reputation The Business Insider February 23 2009 Retrieved April 20 2009 Graham Nicholas February 24 2009 Kellogg s Brand Damaged By Dumping Michael Phelps The Huffington Post Retrieved April 20 2009 CBS rejects NORML legalization billboard but accepts Black Children are an Endangered Species anti abortion billboard NORML February 15 2010 Retrieved August 21 2010 Foundation To Launch Second NYC Times Square Billboard Campaign New Ad Debuts On April 20 On The CBS Super Screen NORML Archived from the original on December 1 2010 Retrieved August 21 2010 The Norml Foundation Washington DC Cause IQ www causeiq com Recent Research on Medical Marijuana National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws February 3 2007 Retrieved April 22 2007 Crimes of Indiscretion National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws March 7 2005 Retrieved April 22 2007 NORML Report on U S Domestic Marijuana Production National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws March 7 2005 Retrieved April 22 2007 Bailey Eric December 18 2006 Pot is called biggest cash crop Los Angeles Times Retrieved July 25 2022 NYC Mayor Bloomberg s Pot Use is NORML Drugwar com Archived June 22 2015 at the Wayback Machine International Chapters Further reading EditDavis Joshua Clark 2015 The business of getting high head shops countercultural capitalism and the marijuana legalization movement The Sixties 8 1 27 49 doi 10 1080 17541328 2015 1058480 hdl 11603 7422 S2CID 142795620 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Official website High in America The True Story Behind NORML and the Politics of Marijuana by Patrick Anderson Portal Cannabis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws amp oldid 1122846075, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
