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US: Sacramento welcomes NORML chapter Ron Mullins Sacramento Press Monday 25 Mar 2013 Bob “Adman” Bowerman took it upon himself to change all that. Newly retired at 61 from his multimillion-dollar ad agency Concepts, Bowerman became familiar with medical cannabis due to personal illness. “I got my medical cannabis card in 2002,” he told me in a recent interview. "Cannabis has helped me through three big medical issues. First there was a severe case of shingles, then there were two surgeries, all in the last three years. Cannabis really is medicine.” Bowerman decided to get involved with NORML after attending one of the organization’s conferences in Los Angeles. He saw a clear role for himself to play. “They have enough lawyers, and a lack of marketing people,” he said. “They also needed a strong NORML chapter in the Sacramento area. It seemed like a good fit. So I cashed in part of my retirement and gathered some like-minded media people, and here we go.” Bowerman founded NORML’s first media-based chapter, a group specifically focused on outreach through media, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto NORML Inc. The group has applied to become a nonprofit organization and has adopted the mission to educate the general public on cannabis and lobby for votes for a bill to legalize cannabis in California in 2016. The local chapter of NORML met in Sacramento earlier this month in the conference room at Perko’s Cafe & Grill on J and Third streets. I was pleased to see the level of organization there – banners, balloons, veggie platter – it really gave it a professional and “big” feel versus the standard, more subdued meetings the medical cannabis community seems to have in Sacramento. I counted more than 30 people in attendance, including High Sierra NORML and the state chapter known as CalNORML. Safe Access Sacramento extended a hearty welcome to the chapter, with ten of its members in attendance. Emceeing the meeting was Bowerman’s wife, Dora. Bowerman spoke to the crowd first, giving a rundown of NORML’s activities, including helping with the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado. He told the gathering activists about his role as an advertising man, to help get the word out that marijuana is safe for adult consumption and should be legalized and taxed just like wine. Bob Bowerman addressing the meeting (Image by: Ron Mullins) Ellen Komp gave a rousing boots-on-the-ground speech, letting the group know that the chapter was needed to help gather signatures, speak face to face to people and help them understand the gravity of this issue. She complimented the Sacramento cannabis community’s efforts in getting people to show up for court support. Both Bowerman and Komp fielded questions. Many in the audience were eager to know “when” the petitions will be ready, and were chomping at the bit to get out and get cannabis legalized fully by 2014. The reality expressed by the speakers is that it may not be realistic for the midterm election, and greater success and momentum may be achieved for 2016. Bowerman heads the marketing and media strategies for the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform, the group that brought us Proposition 19 in 2010. CCPR is also heading up the new proposition for legalization for 2016. CCPR members include Richard Lee, Steve DeAngelo from Harborside Health Center, cannabis farmers, and lawyers and activists from all forms of the cannabis industry. For me personally, the significance of this meeting was a coming together of a community previously suffering from rifts over past politics – specifically Prop. 19. Prop. 19 was an attempt to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use in California. The medical cannabis community did not seem to be on board. Americans for Safe Access would not openly endorse it; some in the medical industry came out against it, believing it would negatively impact medical cannabis patients. When all was said and done, the proposition failed by 53 percent. Afterward, there was some emailing and boycotting of “medical” supporters by “full legalization” proponents. It wasn’t long before the harsh rhetoric died down, the rifts began to subside and the reconciling began. Many medical marijuana advocates, including myself, believe federal harassment of medical marijuana will not stop until drug policy makes more sense. Full legalization would only enhance patient access. It would also open up the study and development of many new safe medicines derived from THC and CBDs. Simply because a person could go to a store and buy a pack of joints and smoke them instead of getting drunk will in no way inhibit or stop the momentum of marijuana, not only as a medicine but as a nutraceutical. The arrival of NORML in Sacramento gives many of us in the medical cannabis community the opportunity to lend a hand and show we do support full legalization as well. It was clear in the meeting that what binds us together is much more significant than any differences we may have. So in the years to come, we will see bigger marijuana rallies at the Capitol and federal building, television and radio spots encouraging the reform of marijuana law, fundraisers, lobbying, petitioners gathering signatures and lots of NORML swag being worn around Sacramento. If you feel compelled to join our battle against the racist, classist, unconstitutional “War on Drugs,” Sacramento NORML would welcome you. Call their office at (916) 233-3415, or email bob@sacnorml.org. Membership is just $10 a month. Keep a lookout for their Facebook page and website with a complete listing of all dispensaries in Sacramento! http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/80912/Sacramento_welcomes_NORML_chapter
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