With over twenty US states legalizing the use of medical marijuana, Pennsylvania is attempting to follow suit. PA lawmakers continue to review a bill introducing the distribution of medical cannabis within the conservative borders of our wonderful state. In a recent poll, over 85% of Pennsylvanians support the distribution of medical marijuana. Pittsburgh NORML is an advocacy group for pro-cannabis efforts such as this. The organization was founded in the 1970’s and continues to make a difference each day fighting against the anti-drug campaign. With a chapter in virtually every major city, Pittsburgh NORML was founded by director Patrick Nightingale. NORML helps to educate citizens on their legal rights regarding cannabis as well as leading local protests/rallies and bringing you the most up to date news regarding the legalization of marijuana. How can you become involved? Well, we were lucky enough to speak to director Patrick Nightingale about their recent efforts last week. Check out the interview below!
Maniac Magazine: Pittsburgh Norml is an advocacy group for the legalization and distribution of medicinal marijuana. As a local Pittsburgh chapter, can you tell us a little more about NORML organization as a whole?
Patrick Nightingale: Norml was the first cannibus consumer advocacy organization that was formed many years ago at the dawn of the war on drugs. Keith Stroup founded Norml in 1971 with the goal of repealing marijuana prohibition and bringing cannabis consumption in line with alcohol consumption. Initially in the 1970s, it looked as though there was a strong chance marijuana could have been decriminalized but unfortunately the “just say no” movement took hold in the 80’s and we have been fighting ever since.
MM: Pittsburgh Norml came to be around 2009 in response to the first medicinal marijuana bill being introduced to the PA house. How has the organization grown since then?
PN: We have paid our dues. One of the more brilliant things about Norml as a national chapter is that they make it very easy to start a local chapter. Unfortunately they don’t provide a lot of guidance or assistance so we have, for lack of a better term, finding our way since 2009. What we have been very effective at doing; and this was my idea when I started the chapter, is we have provided a voice for cannabis reform and cannabis activism here in the Pittsburgh area and Southwest PA. Part of that was my professional background as a former prosecutor and practicing criminal defense attorney. I believe that my credentials opened doors for us and for our advocacy that might not otherwise be opened for the stereotypical cannabis reform activist.
MM: Where do your chapters exist?
PN: Well, we have chapters in most every major city in the US. We also have a large presence on college campuses.
MM: Can you tell me a little bit more about your college chapters?
PN: Any college chapter that wants to start will be permitted to start a Norml chapter because they believe that it is important to have a presence on college campuses. It’s as simple as applying to your college to start and Norml chapter. The great thing about that is that any motivated college students can start a chapter, but the flip side is sustaining those chapters after those initial individuals graduate.
MM: How close are we to medicinal marijuana legalization?
PN: I believe that we will legalize for medicinal purposes no later then 2015. There is a tremendous amount of support right now in the legislator for medicinal marijuana. The only impediment is that Governor Corbet has promised a veto, however we believe he will not be reelected. The democrat running, Tom Wolf, stated he would sign medical marijuana legislation. The support for the legislation is bipartisan, and according to poll numbers, is as high as 85%. If we don’t get it done in the fall, I believe that we will get it done no later then the summer of 2015. As far as full legalization is concerned, that’s a whole other matter. We do not quite have the political support here in PA to embrace full legalization. We have a full legalization bill that was introduced last year, but it will not get out of committee. I think that the best approach is going to be to legalize for medicinal purposes and then work to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana so that someone possessing less then 30 grams is not subject to a criminal sanction. Then when we see revenue numbers coming from Colorado, Washington, and hopefully now from Oregon, we will be able to say this makes fiscal sense, practical sense, and its about time to finally follow the trend of the rest of the country.
MM: Why do you think Pennsylvania has held out so long to pass a bill many other states have already taken the liberty of enacting?
PN: Pennsylvania is very socially conservative. We have a govoner who continues to claim he will veto medical marijuana legislation because it’s a “gateway drug”. We know this is junk science and not rooted in any empirical scientific study. Its just one of those things where people cling to these outdated 1970’s notions of marijuana as highly addictive and dangerous drug. We know forty years into the war on cannabis that the opposite is true. People just don’t want to give in. Remember, there is a lot of money in law enforcement and the courts dedicated to the war on drugs.
MM: Many people view marijuana as a harmful drug. With all the problems we have controlling legal drugs like alcohol, how do you propose the legal distribution of marijuana can be properly and safely handled?
PN: Well, we see an excellent example coming out of Colorado. They just did the “compliance checks”. The compliance checks showed that the displensery in Colorado had 100% compliance. There was no product that was being lost or sold illegally and minors and those under 21 were not getting access. The system in Colorado is one of the most highly regulated programs in consumer goods. They literally have 24/7 seed to bud monitoring of plants. The plants have radio tags on them that can be checked from outside the facility. That is what I think we’re going to see be implemented effectively, safely, responsibly, and in a manner that generates a large amount of tax revenue.
MM: Your website provides information regarding marijuana laws in Pennsylvania. This information is often not publicized, leaving many citizens unaware of their rights. What other services does Pittsburgh NORML provide?
PN: What we do is try and provide as much accurate and current information as possible about legislative efforts here in Pennsylvania as well as around the country. We provide realistic and common sense advice about legal rights, search and seizure issues, and cannabis consumption. We answer any questions the cannabis consumer in Southwestern Pennsylvania may have about cannabis, cannabis products, etc.
MM: What is the advantage of getting a membership to Pittsburgh NORML?
PN: By becoming a member, you are at the forefront of activism efforts. You have the opportunity to directly participate in our rallies and to directly have an affect on our reform efforts here in Pennsylvania. We work with a number of local businesses and offer member discounts and “member only” specials to these popular Pittsburgh stores, restaurants, and companies. It’s truly a great program to become involved with.
MM: What can someone do if they would like to support Pittsburgh NORML?
PN: You can make a donation on the Pittsburgh Norml website: http://www.pittsburghnorml.org. You can also come to a meeting or rally and simply be willing to make your voice heard. If you know someone who is on the fence about this, educate yourself about cannabis reform; educate yourself about its medical ethnicity, and just be a day-to-day ambassador for cannabis reform. I think that most when they hear the facts are willing to say, “You know what? I didn’t understand. I had it wrong, and I now support reform.”
Check out Pittsburgh Norml at their website here: www.pittsburghnorml.org
Make a donation here: www.pittsburghnorml.org/take-action/donate/
Or become a member here: www.pittsburghnorml.org/take-action/become-a-member/
