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Alcohol vs

Cannabis

NORML convention returns to SF

Written by Tristin Coffman

Thursday, 30 March 2006

NORML Conference 2006: Where on Earth will ganja devotees and reform activists gather from around the nation to mark 4/20 under one roof with the serious goal of legalizing the nation’s number one cash crop, fueled by today’s best speakers, panels and topics in the cannabis law reform movement? San Francisco, naturally, at the 2006 National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws convention.

With ten years of electoral victories under its belt, cannabis reform is one of the strongest and most vital of the nation’s political movements. The conference will consider how to leverage past success into future victories.

Last year’s NORML conference was its largest and most popular national convention ever – with nearly 600 supporters of cannabis law reform packing a San Francisco hotel and meeting space. Given the rapid pace of recent developments, this year’s event could be even bigger.

Jon Nicholson performs on April 20
NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre expects a good turn out as the issue moves toward an historic tipping point. “As great and cannabis-friendly as The Netherlands and parts of British Columbia have become in the last 20 years,” he said, “we all know where we really want the free market and freedom of choice to prevail — the good old USA, now in its 69th year of cannabis prohibition.”

He encouraged people to reserve a space well in advance for the annual conference online via www.norml.org, by calling 202-483-5500 or sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it “Along with all of the fascinating exchange of information and networking, the social events are not to be missed including the Art Auction and NORML/High Times Party.”

To change course in America’s Drug War, St. Pierre said, “the fastest and most democratic path is by activating core supporters and organizing even a small percentage of America’s 26 million occasional cannabis consumers to join NORML’s efforts to re-legalize cannabis use for adults.”

Oaksterdam and Mendo Cigars

The NORML conventions have historically rotated to different locations around the country and frequently end up in Washington DC, where participants have a chance to lobby their national officials. NORML has done quite well in drawing a big turnout to northern California due in part to the speakers and panels and in part to the vibrant cannabis-friendly reputation of the Bay Area, home to San Francisco, Oaksterdam and the Mendocino Cigar.

The annual NORML conference, fueled by top-rated speakers, panels and workshops on the hottest topics in cannabis reform, dates back to 1972 as a public forum that builds genuine community. St. Pierre encourages participants to join NORML and form local chapters to achieve meaningful changes in local and state cannabis laws that will drive national reform.

“Last year, after I became NORML’s executive director, I invited one and all to come to NORML’s annual conference to enjoy the beautiful and tolerant San Francisco Bay Area – the epicenter of the cultural and medical efforts to reform US ganja laws,” said St. Pierre. “Best selling author and public television travel guru Rick Steves gave a funny, informative and revealing keynote address from last year’s conference (online at: www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6537).”

Variety of topics on NORML agenda

This year’s conference will again feature a host of valuable presentations.

April 20, 2006

• Grassroots to Grasstops: Activists Effectively Working Together At All Levels
• Reefer, Rhetoric and Retorts: Winning Ways To Frame The Debate
• Different Strokes for Different Folks: A Look Ahead At This Fall’s Pot Initiatives
• Breakout sessions

1) High Tech Communications for Effective Advocacy

2) Cultivation and Hash Making: Toward Patient Self-Sufficiency

3) NORML Activism 101 (for new and aspiring activists)

• NORML/High Times Annual Activist Awards and Art Auction
• Special Musical Performance by Warner Brothers Recording Artist Jon Nicholson
_______________________________________________________

April 21, 2006

• Cannabis Dispensaries and Their Carrying Capacities
• Reality Check: Challenges Facing Doctors and Patients
• Marijuana and Health: Myths, Facts and Mysteries
• Breakout sessions

1) NORML Chapters and Affiliates: Effective Grassroots Advocacy

2) Hemp Is Happening

3) “And God Saw That It Was Good”: Religion, Sacrament and Marijuana

_______________________________________________________

April 22, 2006

• Race, The War on Drugs and Effective Legal Advocacy
• American History, Marijuana and Marijuana Prohibition
• Big Brother Is Watching: Drugged Driving, Student Drug Testing and Dog Searches
• Emerging Clinical Applications For Cannabis
• Pot Planet: An International Review of Marijuana, Laws And Culture

Annual NORML Benefit Party

To learn more or to immediately register for NORML 2006, April 20-22 in San Francisco, check out www.norml.org or call 888-67-NORML.

Tristin Coffman
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 24 September 2006 )

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