National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
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The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws or NORML (pronounced "normal") is a US-based non-profit corporation founded in 1970 to, according to their most recent mission statement, "move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis 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 marijuana."
The organization played a central role in the marijuana decriminalization movement of the 1970s. At least twelve states reduced marijuana from a criminal offense carrying jail time to a civil violation, payable by a small fine. However, the drug remained a Schedule I substance under federal law, prohibiting even medical use. In 1972, NORML filed the first petition for cannabis rescheduling in the United States.
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 marijuana plants grown in 1997, finding that DEA, state and local law enforcement agencies seized 32 percent of domestic marijuana 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] (http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4444).
NORML's history has been marred by controversy, and in recent years it has had trouble competing with newer, more action-oriented groups, such as the Marijuana Policy Project, which have attracted more funding and produced more tangible results.
NORML has local chapters and affiliated organizations in most US states and in several countries outside the US.
Past NORML executive directors include:
- Keith Stroup (1970-1979, 1995-2004)[2] (http://www.kepplerassociates.com/speakers/stroupkeith.asp?2)
- Jon Gettman (1986-1989)[3] (http://www.sumeria.net/politics/grounds.html)
- Richard Cowan (1992-1995)[4] (http://www.marijuananews.com/marijuananews/cowan/cowan.htm)
- Paul Armentano (2005-present)
See also
- Drug Policy Alliance
- Legal issues of Cannabis
- Marijuana Policy Project
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
- Students for Sensible Drug Policy
External links
- Official NORML website (http://www.norml.org/)
References
- NORML Report on U.S. Domestic Marijuana Production (http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4444), Oct. 1998.