The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws released a well organized document that hits all points in regards to the process of the legalization/decriminalization of marijuana[cannabis]. Any outdated stereotype based objection that you may hear from your representative or family member can be defeated with information contained in this document.
The report goes in depth into case studies examining the effects of cannabis decriminalization in various states and countries that have passed the appropriate laws. A noticeable trend in virtually all the studies is that the existence of legal access to cannabis does not cause an increase in the overall use of the substance, and particularly that its use among youths is not increased.
My suggestion is to download the file below and attach it to an email to each of your elected representatives. If they’re not receptive to the information, they’ll possibly send you a letter back thanking you for your opinion. They will go on to say that it is not their intention to blah blah blah…. Don’t let this be the end of the interaction. You should respond to them and repute any argument they may have in favor of keeping this God given medicine illegal.
Here is the link to the pdf. Read it. Share it. Force this information into the in-boxes of the decision makers of this state.
Real World Ramifications of Legalization
It’s this writer’s experience that some wooden headed representatives refuse to accept new information, so you will have to be persistent, and armed with facts.
Don’t want to share your yahoo or gmail address? Get yourname@IamnotaCriminal.org today at I am not a criminal dot org.
The High Times Doobie Awards are returning to Austin this year for their 8th annual award ceremony. It promises to be another smoking hot party this year right up in the mix of all the SXSW insanity. This year’s event is being held at Emo’s Outside at 603 Red River.
This year we will the show gets started at HIGH NOON, and runs til 6pm. The show is once again being hosted by High Times Senior Editor Bobby Black. Making a special appearance is Hip-Hop Icon, B-Real, accepting the highest award, “Lifetime Achievement,” on behalf of Cypress Hill.
Performers this year include:
NEBULA,
KARMA TO BURN,
LOS MARIJUANOS, PROSPECT HILL,
LIONIZE, HOUSE OF BROKEN PROMISES,
DIXIEWITCH
& AMY JO SAVANNAH.
This year the nominees include:
BEST JAM BAND ARTIST
Phish – Joy
The Black Crowes – Before the Frost…Until the Freeze
Disco Biscuits – Planet Anthem
Monsters of Folk – Self-Titled
Gov’t Mule – By A Thread
BEST REGGAE / SOUL MUSIC ARTIST
Easy Star All-Stars – Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band
Lionize – Space Pope and the Glass Machine
Matisyahu – Light
Tarrus Riley – Contagious
Ocote Soul Sounds – Coconut Rock
BEST HIP-HOP ARTIST
B Real – Smoke N Mirrors
Method & Red – Blackout 2
Kottonmouth Kings – Hidden Stash 420
Asher Roth – Asleep in the Bread Aisle
Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon: The End of Day
BEST METAL ARTIST
Mastodon – Crack The Skye
DevilDriver – Pray For Villains
Slayer – World Painted Blood
Shadows Fall – Retribution
Cannabis Corpse – The Weeding
BEST ALTERNATIVE ROCK ARTIST
Them Crooked Vultures – Self-Titled
Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue
Wolfmother – Cosmic Egg
Assjack – Self-Titled
Nick Oliveri – Death Acoustic
BEST STONER ROCK ARTIST
Clutch – Strange Cousins from the West
Fu Manchu – Signs of Infinite Power
Priestess – Prior To The Fire
Seventh Void – Self-Titled
House of Broken Promises – Using the Useless
BEST NEW / UNDERGROUND ARTIST
Prospect Hill
DJ Slim
Seventh Void
Lionize
Cycle of Pain
BEST LOCAL BAND
Dixiewitch
Funkotron
Amplified Heat
Iron Age
Ocote Soul Sounds
POT SONG OF THE YEAR
“Do My Work High” – Cycle of Pain featuring Sen Dog
“Choking Gesture” – Hank III & Assjack
“Day ‘N Night” – Kid Cudi
“Must Be the Ganja” – Eminem
“Blunt Cruisin’” – Asher Roth
“Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers” – Method & Red
We will be there spreading the word about the Crusade. Mark your calendar, and make plans to fight the traffic to join us at this awesome party. Tickets are $15 at the door, and no advance tickets are being sold.
If we don’t see you there, we hope to see you and all your friends at Wooldridge Square Park on May 1st.
Thanks to the overwhelming response from the people of Texas over the last few years, our Third Annual Texas Cannabis Crusade is proving to become the largest yet. Our expected attendance has exceeded the maximum capacity for our previous venue.
We are proud to announce that Outgrow Big Bro and Texas NORML will host the event this year at the historic Wooldridge Square Park. The park is located at 9th and Guadalupe. You can expect the same intensity as in years passed, but our new location is just five blocks from The Capitol.
Currently, we are fine tuning the new route for the march, but it will definitely include a pass by City Hall.
The full lineup will be released in the next few weeks. Stay tuned to www.TexasCannabisCrusade.com, or call 512-553-0420 for further details.
Thank you all for your continued support over the last few years! We look forward to this year’s march, and our continued ZERO ARREST record!
My name is Brad, and I have been an outspoken proponent for responsible cannabis reform for many years. I’ve also headed the efforts to bring The Texas Cannabis Crusade to life in 2008 and 2009. This year our march drew over 1,000 participants. I have done this because this cause is something that I am very passionate about. I am also one of only three individuals to testify before committee regarding HB 902 in the last legislative session, here in Texas.
It sometimes seems that we are fighting a losing battle with the folks at The Capitol here. However, I remain steadfast in my participation in swaying the public opinion and the opinion of legislators in favor of responsible cannabis reform in Texas. Every person that I have inspired to join our cause and stand up for their rights makes it worthwhile. We are gaining momentum in our battle, even here in Texas.
My intention has always been never to waiver from devoting effort to this cause, however, I have recently been arrested and accused of a Felony for possessing cannabis medicine. 1 gram. The money I had was also seized from me. A Felony charge on my record would no doubt discredit me as a viable source of information. I have been an outspoken proponent for bringing responsible change to cannabis laws in Texas. Testimony given in the Texas Legislature would surely be given no merit, if delivered by a felon.
I have employed the services of a local attorney. My attorney is a member of the NORML Legal Committee and also assisted us in 2008 by delivering a speech from the steps of our Capitol Building, during the Texas Cannabis Crusade. He has agreed to represent me on the charges for a discounted rate. This is not an amount of money that I have or that I have access to. I understand that there are people who are interested in assisting individuals who have been victimized by cannabis prohibition. I feel that I am a victim of cannabis prohibition.
I have used cannabis for a number of years therapeutically to deal with Ulcerative Colitis. I am familiar with a wealth of credible information on the subject of cannabis and UC. For a while, I was taking FDA approved, taxable Marinol, legally. However, I was unable to afford the $900 a month when I lost my job and insurance. I feel that I have a legitimate defense based on medical necessity. A jury ruled in favor of Tim Stevens in his case in Amarillo. Has that set the precedent? We will never know, unless I can afford legal defense.
I am interested in any assistance you all may be able to offer. Whether it is financial assistance or good advice, I would be gladly receptive. Please consider this plea for help, and contact me to discuss any possible options. It has been a pleasure to serve in this battle, and I pledge to continue on.
Kindest Regards,
Brad
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