By Kevin Mahmalji, NORML Outreach Coordinator
Today marijuana activists, patients and business owners from around the country are gathering in our nation’s Capitol to officially kickoff NORML’s 2016 Conference and Lobby day in Washington DC. We’re extremely excited about our line up of speakers and panelists for our conference, followed by a busy day of meetings with members of the House and Senate.
To start off, NORML members and supporters will be meeting at George Washington University, for a full day of presentations and panel discussions with policy experts and seasoned lobbyists. I’m especially excited to hear from John Hudak with the Brookings Institute. He recently wrote an open letter to presidential candidates urging them to take the issue of marijuana law reform more seriously. You can read more, here!
Tomorrow morning, NORML members will gather at the Longworth building on Capitol Hill where they will be addressed by: Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR), Congressman Polis (D-CO) and Congresswoman Delbene (D-WA). They are expected to speak in detail about the various pieces of legislation that are highlighted below. With more than twenty pieces of federal legislation aimed at reforming America’s archaic marijuana and hemp laws, it is imperative that we do our part by educating them on the many benefits of embracing a new approach. The same applies to everyone who will not be able to attend, except the focus will be on making phone calls, writing letters and/or sending emails using our online action center.
To access the information below, simply click on any of the links and you’ll be directed to a three-page document that includes everything you and your fellow activists will need to assist us with our lobbying efforts (talking points, phone script, letter template etc.). Feel free to contact your representatives about each one, or pick a few that you’re most passionate about!
House:
H.R. 3561: The Fair Access to Education Act
H.R.1013: The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act
H.R.1538: The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act
H.R.1940: The Respect State Marijuana Laws Act
Senate:
S. 2557: The Stopping Unfair Collateral Consequences from Ending Student Success Act
S. 2237: The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act
S.683 – Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act
During last year’s congressional letter writing campaign, our network of affiliates and chapters generated more than 2000 letters and emails to congressional offices so I hope we can do the same or better this year!
To continue reading this story, visit our friend’s website (opens in a new window):: Grassroots Support for NORML’s Congressional Lobby Day