From: maxwell@deep-13.gizmo.com
Subject: Re: Hemp legalization arguments
Organization: Gizmonics Institute Inc.
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 05:32:15 GMT
X-Posted-From: fnalo.fnal.gov
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol.ctr.columbia.edu

berger@atropa (Mike Berger) writes:

> And now one item for thought.  NORML has been around for almost 25
> years.  In that time, do you think we moved CLOSER or FURTHER AWAY
> from legalization of marijuana?  In the late sixties, most people
> thought legalization might be as much as ten years away!  What do
> you think the current attitudes are?  Has NORML accomplished
> ANYTHING USEFUL in all that time?  Obviously we are on the same
> side of the issue.  I just think their efforts are wasteful and
> counter-productive.

I think you ought to consider giving NORML a second (third...Nth) chance-- they
seem to be working awfully hard these days. They've shaken up the .org and
they've got some top-notch people there.  

You need look no further than Richard Cowan, the current Executive Director.
I'm far from an expert on the subject of Cowan, but I can tell you that he's a
succesful Texas oil man, well educated, and has written numerous articles,
including a cover story for _The National Review_ (you know, Wm. F. Buckley's
rag).  Other TPD'ers could give you a better picture on Cowan-- but the point
is that NORML picked him because they figured he could be effective in lobbying
the congressweezuls.  

The NORML of today is not the NORML of yesteryear.  I'll try to dig up _High
Times_ story on some of the organizational changes NORML made, but for starters
let's remember that they've changed the method by which they choose their board
of directors in an effort to become more responsive.

Want an example of NORML in action? Howsabout the efforts of a former NORML
board member from San Francisco, Dennis Peron?  Remember Prop P? Passed with 
a FOUR TO ONE vote. 

The recently passed Santa Cruz Hemp Initiave was a NORML effort.

How about the California Medical Association's statement on medical mj.  That
came about through the efforts of Dale Gieringer and Dr. Mikuriya.  NORML
again.


NORML has helped keep the hemp culture alive-- don't underestimate the
rejuvinative/fillial benefits of events such as the DC smoke-ins, Hempsplash,
WEEDSTOCK, Atlanta Hemp rally (50k people), Hash Bash (sorry if this sounds a
little parochial, feel free to insert your fave rally here).

Hell, if it weren't for a certain Wisconson NORML director, I'd have never
gotten involved at all.

It's not fair to blame all the movement's problems on NORML. There are other
factors that should be mentioned. For instance, during the Carter years, as
decrim became more common, a lot of pot smokers became complacent.  Remember
that? Everyone was saying not to worry about it, they don't bust pot smokers
anymore-- ignoring the fact that the laws were still in place.

Or howsabout Peter Bourne? He was Jimmy Carter's drug czar, tasked with making
the drug laws rational.  Seems that Mr. Bourne partied just a little too much
for the rest of capitol hill, the press got wind of it.  In this resurgance of
the Jimmy Carter Coke Scandal, Carter was *forced* to replace Bourne with
another man, a hardline drug warrior, and the only Carter political apointee to
be held over by Ronald Reagan.  I'm of course referring to Peter Bensinger.
(I used to fix Bensinger's photocopier. If I'd known then what I know now...)

How about the fact that we collectively decided to elect Ronald Reagan???
Rember Just Say NO?

NORML doesn't exist in a vacuum-- while it certainly deserves a portion of
blame, the ultimate responsibility for the current state of marijuana
prohibition lies with none other than every single person who has ever smoked
pot and done nothing to change the law.

We all need each other too badly to afford the luxury of casting apserions.

peace
max
mmonningh@igc.org
IMI


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