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Reform activists from around the country get all fired up at SF conference PDF Print E-mail
Written by Justin Baker   

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws:
 
The smell of freedom hung heavy in the air at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law’s well-attended annual conference when it came to San Francisco in March.
    The group’s new executive director Allen St. Pierre said this “marks NORML’s return to the Bay area, which was host to our highly successful 2002 and 2003 annual gatherings, and gave attendees a unique opportunity to network with other marijuana law reformers.”
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New Hand on the Helm — NORML’s new national director, Allen St. Pierre, welcomes attendees to the voter initiative panel that covered recent electoral measures in more than six states. Susan Stephenson of Oakland is at left. Photo: Chris Conrad
    St. Pierre called San Francisco “one of the most ‘NORML-friendly’ cities in America” with a reputation for fun and education. “If a person is serious about changing America’s misguided cannabis laws, the annual NORML conference is the place for medical cannabis patients, cannabis consumers and concerned citizens.”

Sure enough, hundreds came to hear best-selling author and TV travel guru Rick Steves describe how using cannabis is like going on a travel adventure with new sights, sounds and sensations. “High is a place you might want to go sometimes,” he quipped to an appreciative audience.
A place you might want to go — TV travel host Rick Steves encouraged activists to keep up their efforts to gain equal rights for cannabis consumers.
A place you might want to go — TV travel host Rick Steves encouraged activists to keep up their efforts to gain equal rights for cannabis consumers.
Former NFL football star Mark Stepnoski mingled with the crowd that included scores of notables, including locals Angel Raich and WAMM’s Valerie Corral, the High Times news crew and many, many more.
    Much of the networking activity took place around the display tables and booths in the hallway, or at the aromatic and dry-mouth inducing parties that kept people up and talking into the wee hours, only to get up early for the next day’s presentations.
    The packed agenda included talks and workshops focusing on the nuts and bolts of political organizing, from the many electoral initiatives that were being pursued around the nation to educating the community to structured legal challenges and how to be more effective in lobbying officials.
    Panels ranged from the federal/ state schism over medical marijuana to cultivation tips and changing the image of cannabis users to reflect their mainstream nature. Women activists were prominently featured, and in higher numbers than in past years, as St. Pierre had promised its members. 
    NORML holds its annual convention and awards ceremony each spring and hosts a legal seminar for attorneys in December. For more information on its activities, visit www.norml.org.

 
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