ArkNORML News- January 2012

The newsletter of the Arkansas Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Our Website: arnorml.org
Contact numbers: Glen Schwarz-Pres. (501) 568-1598
Mail address: PO Box 191031, Little Rock, AR 72219
e-mail: normlschwarz@yahoo.com

President’s Report: 2012- A Year of Opportunity
by Glen Schwarz  

A slight majority of the People now support the outright legalization of Hemp and Marijuana.  But do not expect an instant change because of an opinion poll. The inertia of 80 years of prohibition and the vested interests of the legal- incarceration-police state will oppose any rapid reform.  

In the words of Winston Churchill, "We must make our guns ring in their ears!"  Of course we, as Americans, do not have to use guns.  But we must make the united impact of our votes ring in the ears of the prohibitionists that afflict our people.   

The election year of 2012 is upon us.  The primary election is May 22 and the General election is November 6.  Reform minded citizens should boldly go to debates and forums to ask pertinent questions like; "The prohibition of Hemp and Marijuana is an example of bad laws based on lies.  If elected, would you sponsor any reform legislation like the decriminalization of marijuana or the outright re-legalization of hemp?"  

We also encourage reform minded citizens to file for public office and bring up the issues in public debate.   Note that both the Libertarian and Green Party are on the ballot as party entities in Arkansas this year. They offer candidates a chance to stand for office at a fraction of the cost of the major party filing fees. 

At the January meeting of Arkansas NORML, we will hear an update on the Medical Marijuana petition drive. We will also distribute material in regards decrim. in Arkansas, voting right for felons who have completed their sentence, and prepare for a Spring campaign of outreach to the public in Central Arkansas. It could be an exciting year of change here in the Natural State, let’s do our part to make Arkansas Green!