NORML-y Crooks
June 30th, 2009 by Alex
There are only so many original names, acronyms and phrases out there in the world. If you read this blog and see the letters ‘NORML’ next to one another, 99 times out of 100 we’re referring to The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Welcome to the 1 in 100 mention – a shirt collabo between LA-based Crooks & Castles and Canada-based NORML.
The drop takes color palette inspiration from the fixtures of the upper crust fashion world; Gucci and Versace for instance. The use Crooks’ iconic medusa head design and come in 3 different colorways. No word on if they’ll be available online, but there are available in-store at the NORML shop.
Cop ‘em while you can.
British Columbia’s Cultural Cannabis Crusade
May 14th, 2009 by Russ
With swine flu subsiding to our south, Weed Fever seems to be taking hold in our northern neighbor. As reported by the BBC, this week, the Canadian weed machine is quickly becoming a thorn in the side of the United States.
The piece above first depicts Canadian Mounties (unfortunately not in their official crimson regalia) frantically erradicating weed crops in the Canadian wilderness. Some of the grow fields depicted are as vast as three football fields. Watching this piece gives one the sense that our entire northern border is little more than a Mystical Psychedelic Forest full of happily stoned hockey elves and talking moose.
To make matters worse (or better, depending on your position) British Columbia has a sanctioned Marijuana Party headed by weed activist and fugitive, Marc Emery. The piece shows the BCMP disseminating joints like lollipops to amused spectators.
Disjointed CNN Panel Almost Debates Legalization
May 12th, 2009 by RussCNN Anchor (and aptly named) Don Lemon ‘moderated’ a two-man panel this week that was set to theoretically debate the merits of legalization. Instead, the panel decided to debate the merits of having three people speak simultaneously at no one in particular.
The debate was sparked by a Governor Schwarzenegger speech that favored a serious look at the benefits of legalization. Former Presidential Drug Policy Advisor, Kevin Sabet, preferred to play semantics, arguing that Schwarzenegger simply wanted to ’study’ the effects, and had not taken an official position.
And so, while Mr. Lemon futilely replayed the clip over and over in the hopes that the Governator had actually endorsed a position, NORML head, Allen St. Pierre delved into his own diatribe about the general popularity of weed.
Meanwhile, Sabet attempted to sneak in the company line straw-man arguments about the ‘dangers’ of weed. Not that he gave any evidence or examples, mind you. Luckily for him, no one interested in having an actual debate was present at the time.
Marijuana Issue Reaches Tipping Point
May 7th, 2009 by Rick
There are some advocates out there that believe we’ve reached a “tipping point” with overturning the current cannabis laws. Despite the same rhetoric from government officials on the war on drugs, it does feel like there is a change in the air in regards to marijuana. After all, more and more television shows and feature movies are becoming more and more popular.
Keith Stroup, founder of NORML, the organization that fights for marijuana legalization, sees a tipping point. He refers to a 2002 Time/CNN poll:
There’s some data out there that shows 47 percent of Americans have smoked marijuana at some point in their life. [...] That was five years ago, and that means there are likely more living Americans today who have smoked than have not. That tells me that we are very close to a tipping point on this issue.
NORML even took the opportunity to unleash their pro-marijuana TV ad on all the news networks and some others. The ad seems to be targeting those in Washington that need some reassurance that this is what the people want and how it would overall benefit us.
The commercial says:
You can tax it, you can regulate it, apply age restrictions… create millions of new jobs… save our economy.
According to an article at the NORML Blog:
According to numerous survey and polls, approximately 75% of Americans support medical access to cannabis; 73% favor decriminalizing cannabis possession for adults and 42% of Americans support legalizing cannabis.
America, isn’t it time for a serious, unbiased look at this plant and drug, whether it’s used for medication or recreation?
First Ever Pro-Marijuana TV Ad Aired 4/20
April 21st, 2009 by RickThe first ever pro marijuana TV ad campaign challenging cannabis laws launched just yesterday on April 20th, 4/20. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the group behind the 7,770 scheduled TV ads, planned to have them appear on CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, Fuse, FX Networks, G4, MSNBC, CNN’s Headline News and Spike TV. NORML’s recognition has been growing, including 600,000 friends on Facebook and nearly 67,000 friends on MySpace.
The ad itself is the winner of a user generated ad contest that NORML had asking the question:
What would you say to President Obama about legalizing marijuana?
New Jersey College student and aspiring filmmaker, Jason Druss, received 6,500 votes for his work and won the contest and the $3500 prize.
Druss said:
It’s time for President Obama to endorse cannabis law reform where it is legally controlled and taxed like alcohol and tobacco products. [...] It’s shocking that students can lose out from federal student loans for possessing a few joints, when pot’s been part of the college culture for decades.
Colorado University Holds Largest 4/20 Event
April 15th, 2009 by Erin
While most of us will be rolling joints and crafting gravity bongs out of household objects with our friends to celebrate my favorite holiday (4/20), the Colorado University chapter of NORML will be holding the largest organized annual 4/20 event in the world… and this year is extra special.
With the growing awareness of the importance of cannabis legalization comes increased participation and support from marijuana activists all over the world. NORML is encouraging college chapters of NORML and SSDP to hold marijuana discussions and gatherings next week to encourage a fresh perspective on cannabis laws and the much-needed reformation.
Next weekend at the University of Colorado at Boulder will consist of panels and speakers, doctors, lawyers, students, activists and professors as well as supporters of cannabis prohibition engaging in discussions, and anyone and everyone is encouraged to attend.
If you’re lucky enough to reside in the area, I highly recommend you consider making a stop and listen to some of the speakers; your voice and support is vital to the marijuana movement!
National Marijuana Forum
April 18-20, 2009
University of Colorado, Boulder
Click right here for a complete schedule.
NORML Hosts Annual Marijuana Event in SoCal
April 8th, 2009 by Rick
The 5th Annual Joint Rolling Competition, hosted by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) at Anisq’ Oyo’ Park in Isla Vista, sparked off this past Sunday. Celebrating anything green and sticky, NORML used the festival to promote their goals of reforming marijuana laws for personal and medical use, as well as bringing industrial hemp growing back to the United States.
The competition consisted of various categories — fattest, fastest, freestyle and primo categories for both joints and blunts, and a joint-only contest for medical marijuana and one-handed specialists.
Alexander Stemplewski, a contestant that registered for every competition category, won the race with most joints rolled within 2 minutes. He also was on top for the fattest blunt and took second place for the fattest joint.
Stemplewski, a second-year financial math and statistics major said:
I think it’s an awesome competition. It brings a great group of people together.
The freestyle joint rolling competition was the “high” point of the day, bringing together imaginative rollers who went head to head crafting cross joints and braided joints. George Pelic took first place for his unique creation, the “Torpedo-Tulip.”
Pelic, a business administration major said:
I used to work in a cannabis club in L.A. rolling joints. I learned how to roll in Europe. I was the apprentice of a well-known joint roller there.
The event gathered several hundred students, vendors and marijuana enthusiasts.
Tell Obama Legalization Is No Laughing Matter
March 30th, 2009 by Silvio
The following letter below is reaction from NORML regarding President Obama’s statement on marijuana policy during a Virtual Town Hall Meeting last week. NORML has set it up so one can use an online form to send a prepared and well-formulated letter to the President to voice disapproval about his recent statements.
Per NORML:
Speaking at an online Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, March 26, President Barack Obama pledged “to open up the White House to the American people.”
Well, to some of the American people that is.
As for those tens of millions of you who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol — and the tens of thousands of you who voted to make this subject the most popular question in today’s online Presidential Town Hall — well, your voice doesn’t really matter.
Asked this morning whether he “would … support the bill currently going through the California legislation to legalize and tax marijuana, boosting the economy and reducing drug cartel related violence,” the President responded with derision.
“There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation, and I don’t know what this says about the online audience,” he laughed.
“The answer is no, I don’t think that [is] a good strategy.”
Obama’s cynical rebuff was short-sighted and disrespectful to a large percentage of his supporters. After all, was it not this very same “online audience” that donated heavily to Obama’s Presidential campaign and ultimately carried him to the White House?
Please take a moment to tell the President that marijuana law reform is no laughing matter, and that the millions of Americans who support this issue deserve to be treated respectfully. For your convenience, a pre-written letter will be e-mailed to President Obama when you enter your contact information below.
Show your support! Head over to NORML and use the pre-written letter to allow your sentiments be heard.
