The NORML Freedom Forum presented speakers and videos promoting a serious discussion about ending marijuana prohibition at the National Constitution Center's Kirby Auditorium in Philadelphia.

 Major Neill Franklin of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) gave a powerful and personal talk about his years as an undercover agent in Maryland. Franklin spoke about a fallen colleague, the futility of prohibition and how women were instrumental in ending alcohol prohibition seventy years ago. 

 Neill Franklin LEAP

Derek Rosenzweig spoke on behalf of Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana and PhillyNORML. Rosenzweig has been working hard to answer many questions from PA legislators as a medical marijuana access bill is introduced for the Keystone State. PA Rep. Mark B. Cohen, chair of the Democratic Caucus, has enthusiastically sponsored the bill.

 Derek of PhillyNORML

  New Jersey Attorneys Fred DiMaria, Anne Davis and William Buckman are members of the NORML Legal Committee and spoke at the Freedom Forum about how prohibition laws are detrimental to all of society, not just marijuana consumers.  Fred DiMaria  Anne Davis William Buckman  

 Ken Wolski and Jim Miller presented information from the Coalition for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey (CMMNJ). Wolski spoke about the history of American medical cannabis and the civil liberties aspect of prohibition. Miller spoke about his wife Cheryl, an MS patient who was the catalyst for medical cannabis access in NJ. Cheryl challenged the legislature, law enforcement and residents to consider medical marijuana. She died of MS complications in 2003. Cheryl Miller’s wheelchair remained on the stage throughout the Forum.

 Ken, Jim and Cheryl 

Charles Kwiatkowski, an MS patient who testified before the Senate Health Committee, spoke about his own experience living with MS and the benefits of medical cannabis. Chuck represents a group of patients in New Jersey who have shown incredible courage in testifying before elected officials on the issue.

 Chuck

At 4:20 on 4/20 there was a moment of silence for the 872,000+ Americans arrested for marijuana prohibition violations each year.