This is a longish post, blog-style. Thanks in advance for getting active!

Marijuana History - Live and in Progress: Don't Sit On The Sidelines

2/26/09 - Chris Goldstein 

At no other time in recent memory have so many broad marijuana law reforms been in progress. Here is a review of what's happening and how you can help.

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 AB 390 Marijuana Regulation Bill introduced in California by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano “This bill would remove marijuana and its derivatives from existing statutes defining and regulating controlled substances. It would instead legalize the possession, sale, cultivation, and other conduct relating to marijuana and its derivatives by persons 21 years of age and older, except as specified. It would set up a wholesale and retail marijuana sales regulation program, including special fees to fund drug abuse prevention programs, as specified, to commence after regulations concerning the program have been issued, and federal law permits possession and sale consistent with the program.”  

US Attorney General Eric Holder says DEA raids will stop on medical cannabis patients and facilities. Watch this seminal moment on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjZeW2fcQHM   

Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced two Federal reform bills in 2008 HR 5843 “An Act to Remove Federal Penalties for the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults”   HR5842 “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act” 

New Jersey Senate passes medical marijuana bill

SB119, The Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act, passed the New Jersey Senate February 23, 2009 by a 22-16 vote. The Assembly companion bill, A804 now moves ahead. New Jersey could be the 14^th state to offer a medical cannabis program by the end of 2009. 

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 Many cannabis consumers may have resigned themselves to an eternal prohibition. Don't! Pessimism has no place at the height of the battle. 

There has already been a wide range of reforms enacted around the country. So recent events could indeed be the water breaking through the dam.  

In November Massachusetts voters passed a state-wide marijuana decriminalization bill.

Denver voters decriminalized cannabis possession in their city adding to the list of over 30 municipalities, counties, cities or states that have followed a policy of issuing non criminal violation tickets and fines to consumers over 18 years old and in possession of less than 1 ounce.  

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, has a home district of constituents who enjoy one of the most accessible areas for medical marijuana in San Francisco. 

The anticipated pick for the new Drug Czar, John Gil Kerlikowske, is the police Chief of Seattle. That city decriminalized minor cannabis possession in 2005 and the police there have dutifully followed that policy. Kerlikowske is an absolute 180-degree shift from the demagogue of Prohibition, John Walters.

 Our president, Barack Obama, has said he smoked marijuana, "I inhaled frequently....that was the point." Watch on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpBzQI_7ez8  

Moreover, the public, in recent polling, has shown a marked increase in support of medical marijuana access, cannabis decriminalization and all out legalization.

Activists, lobbyists and policy wonks are always quick to assume that policy changes are on the verge of failure. This is a commonly used motivation for almost any policy issue. But the surf is up right now for pot reform, and it's time to Hang-Ten. 

The most common question I get: How do I help?  Keep reading to lend a hand with one of the most important Social Justice issues in America.

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 How do I help reform cannabis laws? 

First, be serious about doing something! Do not just talk about it. Choose an action and make it happen. 

Second, do not be afraid. It is understandable that after almost a century of oppression at gunpoint cannabis consumers are reluctant to speak publicly about reform. But remember, there are at least 94 million of us who have tried marijuana once in our lifetime. The numbers are certainly on our side. The facts stated above are also very empowering! 

OK, Now that you have taken a deep breath, gotten serious and quelled your fear, here's what's next. 

- Call or email your Congressperson or Senator RIGHT NOW  This is the easiest and MOST EFFECTIVE action you can take to help the cannabis reform effort. Far from an empty task, these phone calls and emails are a major catalyst for politicians. Be ready to get form-letter responses back that may not agree with your own position, but by no means let that discourage you. Your efforts could have those form letters change their response. Need help finding those phone numbers and email addresses? Click Here 

- Call or email your local elected officials RIGHT NOW

This means city counselors, County Supervisors, Mayors, police commissioners and State Legislators. Keeping up a steady dialogue on the issue forwards the progress of reform. Need help on those contacts Click Here 

- Donate IMMEDIATELY

Plain and simple. Look if you are already a marijuana consumer, you have budgeted a certain amount per month to spend on this recreation. If all pot smokers took just $5 or $10 of their stash money each month and donated it to NORML, DPA, MPP, SSDP, LEAP, ASA or one of the other reform groups, this would be a solved problem. Sounds cliché....but we all know it's true. 

The efforts to change marijuana laws are spearheaded by non-profit groups. Their ability to produce lobbying activities, advertisements, events and keep the best minds and writers for the topic on their staff is dictated by how much money they can raise. Most of the groups mentioned receive some grant money from charitable foundations. But they all rely on public donations, especially at pivotal moments, like we have right now. 

 If you are looking to keep your donation ultra-local, NORML and SSDP have dozens of local chapters all over the country that can take donation into their individual, local groups. Otherwise, I strongly encourage everyone reading this to make some sort of donation ( no matter how much) to one of the national groups.  

- Call out the press

Marijuana consumers are the butt of jokes and are mistreated by the press at nearly every turn. I personally view it as a form of discrimination. Don't put up with it any more.  Almost every news outlet, TV station and radio station have places on their websites to comment generally and on specific stories. Use that. Comment frequently, write Letters to Editors, OPED columns and contact specific reporters when they say something you like, or don't like.  The media is much akin to the government: they both quickly respond to intense public reaction. So react! Don’t let Prohibitionists drive the conversation and pro-drug-war opinions go un-checked. Having the topic of marijuana reform accurately reported by the press and treated with the seriousness it deserves is up to the public as much as Editors and Producers.  

- Make media

You have a blog, podcast, youtube channel. You own a computer, video camera and digital camera. You are creative and motivated. So why be shy of marijuana?!  Put all of those tools together and help with the reform effort in a more personal way by publishing blogs and making as much online media as possible. There is already a huge online community of Americans interested in cannabis reform. We heartily welcome every single new voice to the choir! 

- Get visible

Marijuana consumers and medical patients are doing much too good of a job at keeping this underground. There is no better time to have the courage to stand up at marches, rallies, concerts, events or even on your front lawn to support marijuana reform.

I know it’s not easy, because I do it too. But instead of silence when I drop the word “marijuana” I now get questions. Instead of scowls I get smiles. This is not me singing kumbaya, it is the truth.

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The issue of marijuana reform has missed many opportune moments in our history. There have already been some chances for Prohibition to end. Let’s not watch this moment pass us by.

The only thing that Change is waiting for is YOU!