Cannabis is a widely used drug, with many people finding it a relief to get high. As of now, there is limited reform due to the scientific community’s need for more research.
Currently, there are only a few scientific study centers that offer cannabis as treatment, making it currently limited treatment options. Due to this, there are very few advocates for change on policy levels, and even fewer at the individual level.
This can be slightly disheartening when looking at what has been accomplished over the past decade in terms of conditions and health outcomes.
NORML
Found in the 1970s during the Vietnam War, the term marijuana smoking was first applied to its effects. Since then, it has been identified as for its medical value.
Now, more than ever, cannabis users look to advocacy groups for help in their fight for reform. The National Cannabis Campaign is one of these major player organizations working toward this fundamental right of Americans to use a safe and effective drug.
Partly due to their influence, states that have implemented reforms have seen lower crime rates and fewer problems with Medicaid and public health insurance companies. This has led some insurers to start accepting cannabis as a treatment option.
This has resulted in people who would not otherwise get tested using CBD products or smoking weed being able to find relief.
Drug Policy Alliance
The Drug Policy Alliance is a leading advocate for reform of America’s drug policies. They work to create and support policy reforms, engage in policy advocacy, and train officials on drug law and policy.
Their efforts have had some success in changing how drug laws are enforced. Since 2008, the number of people arrested for simple drug possession has gone up by nearly 50%.
The Drug Policy Alliance was founded in 2005 by a group of former officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. At that time, they were looking for ways to reduce the amount of poverty and violence that afflicted many cities.
They decided to form an organization that would merge government resources with the fight against drugs. The Drug Policy Alliance is now part of this larger network of organizations.
Grandma Annabelle
Nearly half of all Americans have heard about grandma annabelle’s peaceful use of cannabis, but did you know that she is not the first person in the U.S. to try it?
And did you know that she was the first American veteran to do so? That’s right: She was a World War II veteran who tried marijuana for the first time in 1943.
He was a vocal supporter of cannabis and its use, saying that it helped him cope with his post-war trauma. His story has been retold many times, including by comedian Jim Breacker on his show The Veteran Show.
Today, there are over 6,000 marijuana advocacy and advocacy-related groups in America, most of which are led by women.
Miss Marijuana America
Miss is a trademarked term for missing a marijuana event. It is used to refer to annual MISS Marijuana America Conferences, which have expanded into global events in recent years.
MISS events are held throughout the year, with varying themes focusing on both advocacy and use. Most feature a national conference each year, with regional and local extensions added during times of epidemics or crisis.
These annual events are leading the charge for reform, hosting education forums, meet-and-greases, and cannabis-focused conferences. By having such an extensive network of events available, cannabis advocates can get support from many places!
This is why being an advocate for change is not just about starting events or organizing big campaigns, it is about continual small efforts that people can take up and add to their repertoire of activism.
The Women’s Cannabis Movement
As detailed above, women have used cannabis for millennia. In addition to its therapeutic properties, cannabis has been used for creative expression and social interaction.
These pasts connections make women uniquely suited to understand and support the potential of cannabis as a healing drug. Women are also more likely than men to use and abuse drugs, particularly illegal drugs.
As the baby boom generation approaches retirement age, people are looking for ways to relax and enjoy life again. Cannabis has long been thought to provide strong rejuvenation effects, and the use of CBD (cannabidiol) free marijuana is increasing in popularity.
There are now a number of high-quality cannabinoid hemp extracts available that contain either no THC or only low levels of non– depressant cannabinoids like CBD. These products may be most useful for those who need relief from serious health issues like disease or injury.
Minority Cannabis Initiatives
There is a minority of cannabis users who are attracted to the idea of non-psychoactive marijuana. These users believe that there is value in having a minimal amount of cannabis to help relax them before the day starts and during the day as they work or study.
These individuals are called critical thinkers and advocates for marijuana. They know that there are important uses for cannabis outside of just smoking it, and they want to see more doors opened for people who don’t enjoy traditional narcotics like heroin or weed more mainstream substances like dishwashers or clothes dryers.
As young people, they are being influenced by media, politicians, and family members to support laws that allow for less than 20 minutes of physical activity per day. That is over half a hour of wasted time without getting up and doing something.
Critical thinkers and advocates for marijuana have started their own groups to promote their cause. These include organizations such as the National Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Critical Thinkers on Drug Law reform efforts, and Advocacy Organizations on Drug Law reform efforts.
The Medical Marijuana Movement
The medical marijuana movement is growing at a rapid rate. Currently, there are over 20 medical marijuana advocacy groups, all fighting for the same goal: the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
These groups work together to raise awareness of medical marijuana programs, sponsor events and conferences, and continue to support each other as they move forward with their reforms.
Some examples of reform campaigns you can support include allowing patients to sell their medical marijuana, establishing legal dispensaries, or even establishing state-legal sales sites. Each of these would have its own set of supporters and opponents, however.
It is important to remain organized when pushing for reform in your community, as opposed to just running with it and supporting it without looking into its consequences.
Legalize Canada 2016
Recent news is that Canada is set to legalise cannabis, making it available from July 1, 2018 onwards. This will mark the first time in history that cannabis is fully legal in Canada.
This is a huge step for Canadian reformers, as being able to promote cannabis reform and fight for it in parliament will be an absolute honour. Even though this may be surprising at first, once people see how beneficial this can be for their lives and business, they will definitely get behind it.
Organizations such as the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensers (Canadian-ACMD) are already working hard to have cannabis legalized by July 1, 2018. They feel that if they can put out some good information about how cannabis works and how it benefits people, then the government will give them the okay to sell and distribute it.
As soon as they get their approval, they plan on opening retail stores to sell medicinal and recreational marijuana.
