Georgia NORML » Who we are, How to Join http://georgianorml.org The Georgia Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:55:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Thank you for your patience! & “What can I do to help?” http://georgianorml.org/thank-you-for-your-patience-what-can-i-do-to-help/ http://georgianorml.org/thank-you-for-your-patience-what-can-i-do-to-help/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:55:07 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=235 Hello Everyone!!

We have a new website in the works, and it will definitely be an improvement over what you have seen in the past. :-)   It will integrate all of our social media into one area, and we believe it will make our interactions much more frequent, user-friendly, informative, and enjoyable.  It will probably be about a month before we’re ready to roll the whole thing out.  We hope you’ll bear with us in the meantime…

We agree with Mark Pipkin’s comment to our last post, that you shouldn’t have to join fb to see what’s going on in the group.  Part of our website plan addresses that issue.  Our posts on fb and the website (and twitter) will all be harmonized in the new website.  It’s going to have the look and feel of the Cleveland NORML webiste (http://clevelandnorml.org/about-us) and Kansas City Missouri website (http://kcnorml.org/).  We are getting help from Tulsa NORML’s Garret Overstreet, who has been an invaluable resource and also does work for national NORML.  This is an ongoing process, but our goal is to launch the new website ahead of the Nov. 12 Capital Cannabis Reform Jam (which doesn’t have its own website, but is searchable as a public even on fb, and if you see Mark Pipkin’s comment to our last post, and click on him and go to his (very informative!) blog – he has posted the event as well. (Thank’s Mark!)

In response to jimbo’s comment – what can I do in the meantime?  There are a few things you can do!

One of our current projects is to find out the stance of every Congressman in Georgia on this issue.  We have asked our members to please write or call their Legislators, then let us know where they stand.  Right now we have requested that the information be sent to georgianorml@facebook.com , which you can email to as a regular email address.  (We will, however, be getting a new email address with the new website that looks something more like “info” or “contactus” at georgianorml.org.)

Right now we have a Representative in District 86 who is for the idea, Lynn A Westmoreland is against, John Lewis said he would probably vote for HB2306 as he believes this is an issue for the states, and Bob Woodall who agrees it is probably a state issue.  I’ve heard rumors of a Rep from Marietta who would probably support us and another from Decatur.  As you can see, we need a lot more information.

 

 

“What Can I Do To Help?”

1.  At the federal level, we are writing to our Congressmen and asking them to support HB2306 using the NORML form, and also collected signatures on a petition at our last event to send in support of the Federal Bill to Legalize MJ.  You can send your Congressmen a letter using this handy national NORML form – I find it even more effective if I edit the first few lines with my own message since surely they receive thousands of these — and we want to keep them coming!  Even if you have already written – write again!   It shows our continued support and demonstrates that this is not an issue that is going to go away.  This bill currently has 14 co-sponsors, up from the original 6.   Here is the link to the letter: http://www.capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=50800581

Right now, the bill is being held up by Rep. Lamar from Texas.  He is the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and in that capacity, he represents ALL Americans.  You don’t have to be from Texas to contact him and tell him to let this bill (HB2306) get a hearing!   His DC office number is 202-225-4236 and his office is open from 8:30a – 6:00p.

2.  At the state level, we enourage you to write to your local respresentatives and tell them your individual story, and your personal reason for supporting this cause.  Whether you are a mother who is concerned about her children, a law enforcement officer who believes crime-fighting resources could be better alocated, whether you believe it is safer than alcohol (which I think is pretty much a fact by now), or any other reason you have — tell them why you support our cause in Georgia, and ask them how they feel about it.   Here is where you can look up your Representatives:  http://www.congress.org/congressorg/state/main/?state=GA&view=myofficials#0 Feel free to write them, email them or call them.  We have heard that written letters are generally the most effective.

Then let us know!  This is information we want to post on the new website so that when election time rolls around, we can vote accordingly!  That is how we will win Georgia.  In the polls. — So don’t forget to make sure you’re registered to vote!

 

Thank you all so much for you patience and suggestions – we are working to be more effective and responsive and to make change happen for Georgia!

]]> http://georgianorml.org/thank-you-for-your-patience-what-can-i-do-to-help/feed/ 0 Please Join Us on Facebook! (and a new website is on the way!) http://georgianorml.org/please-join-us-on-facebook-and-a-new-website-is-on-the-way/ http://georgianorml.org/please-join-us-on-facebook-and-a-new-website-is-on-the-way/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:49:09 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=231 Hello MJ Law Reform Supporters!!

We have a lot of exciting work going on in the background right now, and will be overhauling the website soon as well.  In the meantime, please join us on facebook!  We have events coming up and new news shared almost daily, and would love to see you there!

http://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaNorml

You can also email us directly at georgianorml@facebook.com!

As soon as the new website is up, we will also announce that on the facebook page.

In the meantime, you can find us at the following events:

Oct. 9 – Georgia NORML joins Georgia 4 Cannabis (G4C) in the Atlanta Gay Pride Parade!

Nov. 12 – Georgia NORML is at the Capitol Cannabis Reform Jam, held in front of the State Capitol building in the heart of Atlanta.   Daniel Day Zuko, voted Atlanta’s hottest celeb by Creative Loafing, is the Master of Ceremonies, and Georgia NORML is going to have an exciting special guest!  Watch our facebook page to find out who it is!

 

Thanks so much, Supporters, for sticking with us while we get the ball rolling better, faster and smoother again :-)

Yes We Cannabis,

Georgia NORML

]]> http://georgianorml.org/please-join-us-on-facebook-and-a-new-website-is-on-the-way/feed/ 4 A Small, First Step Toward Medical Cannabis in GA? http://georgianorml.org/a-small-first-step-toward-medical-cannabis-in-ga/ http://georgianorml.org/a-small-first-step-toward-medical-cannabis-in-ga/#comments Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:13:05 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=228 On March 24, the Composite Board of Medical Examiners called for applications to fill the Patient Qualifying Review Board pursuant to the Therapeutic Cannabis Research Act of 1981. What does all that gibberish mean?

In 1981 Georgia passed a law then called the Medical Marijuana Necessities Act (OCGA 43-34-120-126).  It provides for the distribution of medical cannabis to terminal cancer patients and glaucoma patients only, through approved pharmacies to secret, approved patients only. For 30 years the law has been “on the books,” but unfunded, defunct, and meaningless. Suddenly last month, however, doctors took the first steps toward reviving it.  The law provides for a panel of doctors, including an oncologist, an ophthalmologist, a radiologist, a surgeon and a pharmacist to approve applications by doctors on behalf of patients who wish to use cannabis medically.  It seems that this board will soon have actual humans serving on it.  Official rules have been published that would govern the program. The weed, BTW, would come from the Federal government and would be strictly controlled.

As modern medical cannabis programs go, this would be an extremely limited one. The law does not provide for dispensaries or medical cannabis cards.  It does not allow patients to grow their own, and it does not allow cannabis to be dispensed for any conditions other than terminal cancer and glaucoma. But, hey – it’s better than what we have now.  We have emailed the doctors as to why they chose to start this up now – is this a trial balloon by the Governor to start the process of decriminalization?  I hope so.  We will be following this as best we can, and hoping that the legislature doesn’t go ballistic and shoot it down.

- Dave Clark

 

]]> http://georgianorml.org/a-small-first-step-toward-medical-cannabis-in-ga/feed/ 16 Dave wishes WGST’s Rusty Humphries a Happy 420 Day! http://georgianorml.org/dave-wishes-wgsts-rusty-humphries-a-happy-420-day/ http://georgianorml.org/dave-wishes-wgsts-rusty-humphries-a-happy-420-day/#comments Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:58:03 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=225 Just after 4:20 PM on 4-20, board member Dave Clark did a 20 minute interview during drive time with Rusty Humphries on Atlanta’s WGST. The debate covered the current state of prohibition in Georgia, the logic behind decriminalization, and the means of distributing medical cannabis. At the end, Dave wished him a Happy Marijuana Freedom Day. I think Rusty would probably be surprised how many of his listeners were secretly saying “right on” in their cars.
GA NORML wishes all of y’all a happy 420 day and hopes your holdin’

]]> http://georgianorml.org/dave-wishes-wgsts-rusty-humphries-a-happy-420-day/feed/ 0 Let’s Get Blazed for the Holidaze! http://georgianorml.org/lets-get-blazed-for-the-holidaze/ http://georgianorml.org/lets-get-blazed-for-the-holidaze/#comments Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:02:32 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=220 Click here for a cool song this guy sent us called “LET’S GET BLAZED FOR THE HOLIDAZE!”

]]> http://georgianorml.org/lets-get-blazed-for-the-holidaze/feed/ 2 GANORML’s Dave Clark named “HIGH TIMES Freedom Fighter” http://georgianorml.org/ganormls-dave-clark-named-high-times-freedom-fighter/ http://georgianorml.org/ganormls-dave-clark-named-high-times-freedom-fighter/#comments Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:07:01 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=217 Just found out I was featured in High Times December issue as Freedom Fighter of theMonth for my efforts with NORML and my book “101 Ways to Beat a Marijuana Charge in Georgia.”  I am honored to support NORML, and all efforts to bring sanity to US cannabis regulation.
I have been representing Georgia citizens charged with crimes for over 20 years now.  IMHO it is a giant waste of time to prosecute recreational drug users. I empathize with those who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses and associated diseases.  I empathize with victims of drug biz violence, including police officers and those who volunteered for illegal military actions.  Those stories are really tragic.  But you have to look at the grand scheme of things and figure out the best way to deal with the issue. . .

People have been intoxicating themselves for fun since the dawn of time.  Even animals do it. You can’t stop it. We have tried to stop people from drinking and it didn’t work.  In fact, using the criminal justice system to fight alcoholism turned out to cause more problems than the booze itself.
The reason people self-medicate with drugs and alcohol is not because they are immoral and mean other people harm.  So it’s not a criminal act with a mens rea or criminal intent. Drugs and alcohol will be abused for as long as mankind walks the earth and it is, and always will be, a public health issue.
And what’s the best way to address public health issues? First, do no harm.
Second, treat sick people. Third, educate in the interest of prevention.
There is a well-thought out and proven successful alternative to the war on drugs.  It’s called “harm reduction.” I, along with most other cannabis reform activists, do not want more people to abuse anydrug. What we want is a sane approach to managing the irrepressible human instinct toward recreational intoxication.  What we want is a hands-off approach to recreational use, and a compassionate approach toward those who are suffering because of abuse or addiction. They are not criminals, they are human beings, weakened by the slings and arrows of this weary world, who let a rational means of escape overtake their judgment.
If you’ve ever binged on chocolate, if you drink too much coffee, if you are overweight, if you text too much, watch porn a lot, vegged in front of the tube more than you should, or if you have EVER gotten drunk, then don’t you DARE judge my potheads.
And ask yourself, do you belong in jail for your minor sin? You might not be in jail, but you’re in a glass house – so don’t throw stones at stoners.

]]> http://georgianorml.org/ganormls-dave-clark-named-high-times-freedom-fighter/feed/ 3 Great video on Prop 19 http://georgianorml.org/great-video-on-prop-19/ http://georgianorml.org/great-video-on-prop-19/#comments Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:05:44 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=214

Proposition 19 – The New Leaf from ISHOTHIM on Vimeo.

]]> http://georgianorml.org/great-video-on-prop-19/feed/ 0 J. Colb “Rollin” http://georgianorml.org/206/ http://georgianorml.org/206/#comments Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:20:03 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=206 07 Rolling J.Colb Change Gone Come-EP

Check out J.Colb “Rollin” from his EP “Change Gone Come”

J. Colb supports Georgia NORML!

]]> http://georgianorml.org/206/feed/ 0 NORML to Push for Decriminalization in GA http://georgianorml.org/norml-to-push-for-decriminalization-in-ga/ http://georgianorml.org/norml-to-push-for-decriminalization-in-ga/#comments Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:20:17 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/norml-to-push-for-decriminalization-in-ga/ image5Check out our new decriminalization bill repealing the criminal offense of marijuana possession less than on e ounce and making it a civil penalty instead. Not full legalization, but no arrest, no jail and no criminal record. Tell us what you think at the meeting Saturday 9-18 at Club 714 at the Spring4th Center in Atlanta at 4:20.

]]> http://georgianorml.org/norml-to-push-for-decriminalization-in-ga/feed/ 7 Proposed Law creating a Medical Cannabis Distribution System in GA http://georgianorml.org/proposed-law-creating-a-medical-cannabis-distribution-system-in-ga/ http://georgianorml.org/proposed-law-creating-a-medical-cannabis-distribution-system-in-ga/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 15:55:05 +0000 admin http://georgianorml.org/?p=193 marijuana_medicineComprehensive Georgia Medical Cannabis Bill

One of our members took the time to review and edit medical cannabis laws from other states into a proposed system for Georgia.  I have reviewed it and made a few annotations.  Those of you with knowledge of other state laws, medical cannabis use, or health care in general, please review it and tell us what you think next meeting.

DClark

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