The 21st NORML (National Organization for the Reform on Marijuana Laws) Conference officially began on november 17, 1991 in Washington, DC.

The tone of the conference was one of action, and the main topics were medical marijuana, grassroots organizing and hemp (rows of hemp products lined an entire wall of the conference room).

This was clearly a meeting of activists. Board chairman Dan Viets was vibrant in his opening remarks: "In 1982, the National Academy of Science said that in those states that had decriminalized marijuana, the use of cannabis had not increased. That is the single most effective argument against marijuana illogic." Dennis Peron told the story of Prop P, the San Francisco initiative to override current federal classification of marijuana as a "dangerous drug with no medical value" - that just won a landslide 80% vote.

"I believe San Francisco sent a message to America that we are going to help America live up to its ideals," he said.

Jack Herer (author of "The Emperors Wears No Clothes", an historical record of the cannabis plant, hemp prohibition, and how marijuana can still save the world) bellowed: "We need it all legalized, for medicine, for personal use, for industrial use!" The afternoon session dealt with the tactics of fighting for cannabis legalization - from legislative work to grass-roots campaigning to guerrilla theatre.

That night, Washington DC NORML invited everyone on a candlelight walk from the Quality Hotel to the steps of the Capitol. Forty people joined the procession, which was escorted by motrocycle police. It was the sort of action many had earlier decried as a hindrance to the movement.

NORML-IZER by Dan Vyets (High Times, may & july 1992)

It is obvious that marijuana prohibition is the cause of tremendous and needless suffering by hundrends of thousands of people who are its victims each year.

It is also clear that marijuana prohibition is largely responsible for the continuos loss of the precious civil liberties guaranteed to all Americans by the Constitution and its Bill of Rights.

Marijuana prohibition prevents access for many thousands of patients who desperately need it to help with the treatment of cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and many others serious ailments.

Marijuana prohition prevents the use of the hemp plant as an ecologically sound source of paper, fuel, fiber and much more.

Since 1970, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has been the most visible and effective advocate for the repeal of marijuana prohition and the reform of the national drug policy.

Concerted actions by the millions who agree with NORML's point of view would greatly increase the chances of bringing about meaningful reforms in the near future.

The board of directors of NORML has recently voted to hold our 1992 National Conference in San Francisco, on september 5-7.

Following on the heels of the tremendous medical marijuana victory in San Francisco, in which nearly 80% of the electorate supported making marijuana available for medical use, NORML board member Dennis Peron urged holding our national gathering and sustain the "medical marijuana now" campaign 1992.

NORML has said for 22 years that you don't have to use marijuana to join NORML. In fact you don't even have to be a member of NORML to take a stand on the medical marijuana issue.

NORML asks all of you to copy the statement printed below and take it to doctors of all disciplines, dentists, nurses, patients and anybody else you can find with health expertise.

STATEMENT ON THE MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA.

Marijuana has legitimate therapeutic value. The legislature of more than 30 states have passed laws permitting marijuana to be orescribed by medical doctors. The DEA's Chief Administrative Law Judge has made an official decision recognizing marijuana's therapeutic value and ruling for the removal of marijuana from Schedule 1. However, the DEA has continually refused to recognized any therapeutic value of marijuana.

Marijuana has a wide margin of safety and low physical dependance potential. Therefore, we insist the federal government remove marijuana from Schedule 1 and thus allow it to be made available by prescription to persons with debilitating and/or life-threatening conditions. (Doctor's signature, ecc.)

NORML - National Organization for the Reform on Marijuana Laws -

1636 R Street, NW (#3), Washington, DC 20009, USA Phone: (202) 483-5500 / Fax: (202) 483-0057 (One-year membership $ 25.)

HIGH TIMES MAGAZINE -

235 Park Avenue South, 5th floor, New York, NY 10003, USA.