Over the last decade several states have passed legislation allowing the medical use of marijuana to treat a variety of illnesses and diseases. A number of organizations in this state are urging Georgia legislators to follow suit. One of which is the Georgia CARE Project–which stands for the Campaign for Access, Reform and Education. In a recent conversation Georgia CARE’s director, James Bell, spoke with WABE’s Steve Goss…
(CNN) — Over the last year, I have been working on a new documentary called “Weed.” The title “Weed” may sound cavalier, but the content is not.
I traveled around the world to interview medical leaders, experts, growers and patients. I spoke candidly to them, asking tough questions. What I found was stunning.
Long before I began this project, I had steadily reviewed the scientific literature on medical marijuana from the United States and thought it was fairly unimpressive. Reading these papers five years ago, it was hard to make a case for medicinal marijuana. I even wrote about this in a TIME magazine article, back in 2009, titled “Why I would Vote No on Pot.”
Well, I am here to apologize.
The local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana – Peachtree NORML continue it’s efforts to reform Georgia’s marijuana. NORML is the oldest and most recognized reform group in America.
Peachtree NORML is headed by Sharon Ravert and a dedicated volunteer staff.
NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.
Since its founding in 1970, N.O.R.M.L. has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana smokers. A nonprofit public-interest advocacy group, N.O.R.M.L. represents the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly.
Because N.O.R.M.L. lobbies state and federal legislators, donations to N.O.R.M.L. are not tax deductible. During the 1970s, N.O.R.M.L. led the successful efforts to decriminalize minor marijuana offenses in 11 states and significantly lower marijuana penalties in all others.
Today N.O.R.M.L. continues to lead the fight to reform state and federal marijuana laws, whether by voter initiative or through the elected legislatures. N.O.R.M.L. serves as an informational resource to the national media on marijuana-related stories, providing a perspective to offset the anti-marijuana propaganda from the government; lobbies state and federal legislators in support of reform legislation; publishes a regular newsletter; hosts, along with the N.O.R.M.L. Foundation, an informative web site and an annual conference; and serves as the umbrella group for a national network of citizen-activists committed to ending marijuana prohibition and legalizing marijuana. Our sister organization, the N.O.R.M.L. Foundation sponsors public advertising campaigns to better educate the public about marijuana and alternatives to current marijuana policy; provides legal assistance and support to victims of the current laws; and undertakes relevant research.
The oldest and largest marijuana legalization organization in the country, N.O.R.M.L. maintains a professional staff in Washington, DC, headed by Executive Director Allen St. Pierre, and a network of volunteer state and local N.O.R.M.L. Chapters across the country.