Cannabis Legalization

A Return to NORML

By Melinda Bie

With the United States possibly on the precipice of marijuana legalization…the return to NORML may be the just the thing we need, in more than the way you might think. And no, that’s not a misspell.

In this case, we are referring to NORML, as in the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. For 51 years NORML has advocated for the reform of marijuana laws in the United States, both medical and non-medical use.

NORML was founded in 1970 by Keith Stroup, an attorney who was inspired by the work of consumer activist Ralph Nader, to create a consumer group for cannabis users. With $5,000 in seed money from the Playboy Foundation, Stroup founded NORML. At one point during the mid-70s, Hugh Hefner was donating $100,000 a year to NORML, making it the premier decriminalization advocacy group. Erik Altieri is now the organization’s 7th Executive Director, and its chairman of the Board of Directors is none other than travel writer, Rick Steves.

California NORML originally was founded as Amorphia, which organized the 1972 California Marijuana Initiative, Prop. 19. The initiative, which would have repealed laws against adult use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana, received 33 percent of the vote. Amorphia became the California branch of NORML in 1974 and over the past 47 have been at the forefront of cannabis advocacy.

“So”, you ask, “great history report, but what the heck does NORML do and why should I care?” If you live in California, you can thank the folks at Cal NORML for a lot of the cannabis freedoms that you enjoy today: • Successfully lobbied the state legislature to pass the Moscone Act of 1975, which “decriminalized” marijuana possession from a felony to a misdemeanor, with a maximum $100 fine for 1 ounce or less.

• Successfully sued to force CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) helicopters to respect a 500’ flying ceiling.

• Led the opposition to Gov. Wilson’s “Smoke a Joint, Lose Your License” law, imposing a six-month driver’s license suspension for pot possession, which was killed as of July 1, 1999 and have continued to successfully fight yearly against bad DUID bills in California.

• Were one of the original sponsors of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, Proposition 215, the nation’s first medical marijuana law and have continued to support the legal battle to uphold Prop. 215 against federal and local intrusion.

CBTS reached out to Dr. Dale Geiringer, executive director of Cal NORML to get a better picture of the current situation:

NORML celebrated its 50 year anniversary last year. Albeit significant changes have been made in the cannabis industry, but hurdles still exist. In your opinion, what have been the largest failures and successes in the past 50 years?

"The biggest failure is the government’s failure to make any changes in our bankrupt federal marijuana laws. NORML sued the DEA back in 1971 to reschedule marijuana for medical use, and we’re still fighting that battle."

In California, our first major success was lobbying for passage of the Moscone Act, which decriminalized possession of one ounce or less in 1976. Our next big success, in which I played a leading part, was in co-sponsoring California’s pioneering medical marijuana initiative, Prop 215, in 1996. That set off a world-wide chain of events that are still playing out. More recently, NORML has played a key instrumental role in organizing the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, which culminated in passage of the first federal legalization bill, the MORE Act, by the House of Representatives last year.

Do you feel that Amazon’s announcement of support of the MORE Act and the change in their drug testing policy will encourage federal support of cannabis legalization?

"I don’t think that Amazon or any private company has leverage over Congressional support for legalization. However, I do think it’s new drug testing policy will have a positive effect on our ongoing efforts to protect workers’ right to use marijuana while off the job."

What is currently the biggest obstacle/challenge for NORML?

"The stalemate in Washington, particularly the US Senate and its sixty-vote threshold requirement."

Besides becoming a supporting member of NORML what can an individual do to advocate for cannabis legalization? or...What’s one small thing we can all do on a daily basis to normalize cannabis?

"Behave responsibly - don’t flaunt your use, or smoke in public, or litter the street with roaches and disposable vape pens. Be polite and respectful of others but acknowledge your use to set a good example."

Why is it important to become a member of NORML?

"We are the only cannabis reform organization devoted specifically to consumers’ rights. We don’t represent industry, corporate, or government interests. We believe everyone should be free to grow their own cannabis at home. And we don’t think anyone should face jail or legal sanction for using marijuana. Although actual membership numbers are privately held, Cal NORML has over 34,000 eblast subscribers and saw over 1.63 million webpage views in 2020. Great numbers but consider this – according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Californian’s age 12+ using marijuana in the past month is at 12%, and with California’s population of over 39 million in 2020, that’s close to 5 million people who have an active interest in the legality and availability of cannabis in the state."

Friday, November 5, Cal NORML will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the approval of Proposition 15. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 was the nation’s first law to re-legalize the personal use and cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes, leading to a national movement that now is legalizing adult recreational use and sales as well.

The celebration will be held 25 years to the day that California voters approved Prop. 215 and attendees will be gathering at the elegant General’s Residence at Fort Mason, San Francisco. Speakers will include original sponsors, organizers, medical patients, attorneys and advocates of the Prop. 215 campaign, with memorials to those who have since passed away and to those patients, doctors and caregivers who have been arrested, harassed or imprisoned in the fight for their right to medical marijuana.

To register for the event, visit canorml.org/25th215/.

Artwork by Ruth Frase