[2 articles]
While I hate to see people publicly attacked
http://www.celebstoner.com/200912113363/comments/comments/while-i-hate-to-see-people-publicly-atta.html
Friday, 11 December 2009
While I hate to see people publicly attack NORML or disparage the
work we do, those of us who have elected to work on public policy
issues must be able to handle criticism; it comes with the territory.
At NORML we do pick and choose which events and organizations we work
with in order to try to maintain a standard of professionalism
consistent with our nearly 40-year history of working to legalize
marijuana. We have survey data showing that 87% of the marijuana
smokers in America have a favorable impression of the organization
and our work, and so long as that support remains, we will continue
with our current approach. No other legalization group can show
support anywhere near that level, so we must be doing something
right, even if it disappoints the Yippies. The Yippies have every
right to continue to hold their events, regardless of what NORML may
think of them. And NORML has every right to support those events we
like, and believe are effective at building political support, and to
ignore those we do not. Historically we do not work with the Yippies
because we believe they present a radical image that is
counterproductive politically, and because their organizing skills
are inadequate; their events draw embarrassingly small crows and no
mainstream press coverage (which, under the circumstances, may be
good). But we do work with the Seattle Hempfest and the Boston
Freedom Rally because we embrace both their mainstream political
message and their style, and because they attract large crowds.
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Why's Everyone So Pissed Off at NORML?
http://www.celebstoner.com/200912103351/blogs/steve-bloom/whys-everyone-so-pissed-off-at-norml.html
Thursday, 10 December 2009
by Steve Bloom
It's NORML bashing season. From celebrities to activists, NORML can't
catch a break. Plus, there's their rivalries with other drug-reform
organizations such as the MPP and DPA. Is NORML being unfairly
singled out for the failure to end marijuana prohibition?
Let me start off by saying I'm a big supporter of NORML. While I
worked at High Times, I produced the Hempilation album series that
benefitted NORML to the tune of $150,000. NORML reciprocated by
giving me their Media & Culture Award in 2004. I have nothing but
respect for current executive director Allen St. Pierre, founder and
chief counsel Keith Stroup, and everyone else associated with this
hard-working non-profit that has been trying to change the marijuana
laws since 1970.
Recently, NORML has had to fend off a deluge of criticisms. Here are a few:
• Bill Maher (NORML Advisory Board): "I'm a little disillusioned with
NORML. I've always said, one of the reasons there's been so little
progress on the marijuana front is that what the movement needs more
than anything is some kick-ass, take-no-prisoners, Karl Rove-type
lobbyist, you know? And that just never happens, because it's all a
bunch of stoners."
• Woody Harrelson (NORML Advisory Board): "I've been the poster boy
for the marijuana legalization movement and it's not fair to those
people that actually do it. I've never been involved in that struggle."
• Bruce Cain, who publishes New Age Citizen and now promotes
MERP, his self-cultivation legalization model, has relentlessly
attacked NORML for not supporting the proposal. He has stated that
both St. Pierre and Stroup believe marijuana is harmful. This has
elicited a steady flow of scathing rebukes from St. Pierre.
• Miriam White, a former NORML employee, claims NORML has not played
fair with the Yippies over the years, dredging up decades-old
animosity between Stroup and the '60s pranksters, who started the
rally movement with smoke-ins in New York and Washington, DC just as
Stroup founded the more buttoned-down NORML.
• Cheech & Chong chooses to co-sponsor their upcoming Get It Legal
with the MPP, despite the fact that Tommy Chong is on NORML's
Advisory Board. When asked why, Chong comments: "NORML consists
mainly of lawyers who like to get high."
• The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) decides to partner with the
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) rather than NORML for their recent
conference, setting off an explosive email response from St. Pierre.
I understand that the MPP is the new kid on the block, even though
they are set to celebrate their 15th anniversary in January. They're
certainly better funded than NORML and have made courting celebrities
a major part of their campaign to build support. To some extent, the
MPP has been successful in doing this at NORML's expense.
I think there's plenty of room for multiple organizations - NORML,
MPP, DPA, SSDP, ASA, LEAP - to fight this fight. So why is NORML
suddenly taking a back seat and receiving cheap shot after cheap
shot? Some blame NORML for the ongoing struggle to legalize pot. The
naysayers contend this should have happened in the '70s when the
country was ripe for change and had support from a president (Jimmy
Carter). When Carter backed away from decriminalization, NORML was
seen as the culprit because Stroup outed White House drug czar Peter
Bourne's cocaine use. If Stroup hadn't admitted to Jack Anderson that
he saw Bourne snort a line or two at a party you think marijuana
would be legal today? Highly doubtful.
The MPP came along during the marijuana boom of the '90s. So did CAN,
ASA, Cannabis Culture, Heads, Skunk and many other competitors to
NORML's (and High Times') hegemony. An outgrowth of NORML - MPP
founders Rob Kampia and Chuck Thomas both worked at NORML before
splintering off to form their own group - the MPP takes a
"straighter" approach to the legalization issue. "We don't support
the use of marijuana," Kampia once told me. "We support the right to
use marijuana."
This semantical difference is reflected in the organizations'
different styles: While NORML sponsors large rallies like Seattle
Hempfest and Boston Freedom Rally, the MPP is content to do its work
behind closed doors, lobbying legislators to initiate bills. NORML is
also known for its legal eagles - get busted and who do you call?
NORML, not the MPP.
But to suggest NORML has passed its expiration date because marijuana
is still illegal is like saying Greenpeace should close up shop
because they've yet to end global warming.
It's time for all of the marijuana activists and supporters to stop
bickering and focus on the big picture. Together, in all our shapes
and sizes, colors and religions, political beliefs and ideologies,
we'll eventually achieve the ultimate goal. Then we'll have a big
celebration and everyone will shake hands about a job well done.
Until then, can't we just get along?
.
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