National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (United States)
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The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws or NORML (pronounced "normal") is a US-based non-profit corporation whose aim is, according to their most recent mission statement, to "move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of cannabis prohibition so that the responsible use of this drug by adults is no longer subject to penalty." According to their website, NORML "supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession and responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts," and "supports the development of a legally controlled market for cannabis."
In November 2006 election, NORML promoted several sucessful local initiatives that declared marijuana enforcement to be the lowest priority for local law enforcement and freeing-up police resources to combat violent and serious crime.
NORML will support efforts now underway in other states such as California to legalize and tax marijuana, which is now the fourth largest cash crop in the United States and a means of coping with growing federal and state deficits, without having to raise other taxes.
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[edit] History
NORML was founded in 1970, and in its early years the organization played a central role in the cannabis decriminalization movement.
NORML's history has been marred by controversy, and in recent years it has had trouble competing with newer groups, which have attracted more funding.
[edit] NORML Foundation
The NORML Foundation, the organization's tax-exempt unit, conducts educational and research activities. For instance, in October 1998, NORML's Paul Armentano and Jon Gettman published a 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 DEA, 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"[1].
[edit] NORML administration
[edit] Board of Directors
- Stephen W. Dillon, Esq. (Chair)
- Dale Gieringer, Ph.D. (Vice Chair)
- Valerie Corral
- Rick Doblin, Ph.D.
- Ann Druyan
- Barbara Ehrenreich
- Dominic Holden
- Norman Elliott Kent, Esq.
- Paul Kuhn
- Dan Viets, J.D.
[edit] Advisory Board
- Willie Nelson, Co-Chair (singer and songwriter)
- Nadine Strossen, Esq., Co-Chair (President, American Civil Liberties Union)
- David Boaz (Executive Vice-President, Cato Institute)
- Tommy Chong (comedian, actor, director, author)
- Mitch Earleywine, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Psychology)
- Lester Grinspoon, M.D. (Harvard Medical School (emeritus))
- Terence Hallinan, Esq. (San Francisco District Attorney)
- Woody Harrelson (actor)
- Bill Maher (comedian and social satirist)
- Ron Mann (documentary filmmaker)
- Sheriff Bill Masters (of Telluride, CO)
- John P. Morgan, M.D. (Physician and Professor of Pharmacology)
- Kary Mullis, Ph.D. (1993 Nobel Laureate (Chemistry))
- Bill Regardie (publisher)
- Mark Stepnoski (former NFL star)
- Daniel Stern (actor, writer and director)
- Rick Steves (travel writer, television host)
Hunter S. Thompson and Robert Altman were also members of the Board until their deaths.
[edit] Executive directors
- Keith Stroup (1970-1979, 1995-2004)[2]
- Jon Gettman (1986-1989)[3]
- Donald Fiedler 1989-1991
- Richard Cowan (1992-1995)[4]
- Allen St. Pierre (2005-present)
[edit] See also
- Drug Policy Alliance
- Legal issues of Cannabis
- Marijuana Policy Project
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
- Students for Sensible Drug Policy
