National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Marijuana: THC driving bill reaches senate committee next week -- right after 4/20

The current incarnation of Colorado House Bill 1114, the THC driving bill gained House approval earlier this month and is headed for the Senate Judiciary Committee next Monday, April 22, after the 4/20 weekend. Given that timing, several activists -- including Cannabis University founder Michelle L ... More >>

Ask a Stoner: Why do bubblers create a stronger high than pipes?

Top ten hemp legends: Which myths are true -- and which went up in smoke?

Did Henry Ford really make a car out of hemp? Was the Declaration of Independence written on hemp paper? Did Abraham Lincoln use hemp oil in his lamps? The hemp plant, a variety of Cannabis sativa that's the subject of this week's cover story "Green Acres," is steeped in lore. Some hemp legends ar ... More >>

Amendment 64 task force can't make mountains out of marijuana molehills, advocate says

In this space yesterday, marijuana advocate Christian Sederberg spoke positively about the Amendment 64 task force to which he was just named. So, too, does attorney Sean McAllister, who lobbied the governor's office about the importance of marijuana consumers being represented on the panel. But wit ... More >>

Amendment 64: John Hickenlooper setting up broad task force regarding marijuana measure

Later today, representatives of Colorado NORML will meet with governor's office staffers about Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act. As NORML's Sean McAllister told us yesterday, they'll stress the need for cannabis consumers to have a seat at the table -- and a statement about a pr ... More >>

Stickers and Stoners

Medical marijuana: Finding caregiver only easy if you know the right people

With about 55 percent of more than 93,000 medical marijuana patients with a red card designating someone to grow for them, finding a caregiver clearly isn't that hard of a task in Colorado. But how do people who aren't part of the cannabis community or simply don't have the right connections find s ... More >>

NORML exec predicts THC driving bill's return, hopes for improvement

Update: As we reported below, the much-debated THC driving bill died because Senator Nancy Spence, whose vote made the difference between passage and failure, was on vacation. But even as opponents of the measure celebrate this left-field victory, Allen St. Pierre, executive director of NORML, which ... More >>

Medical marijuana dispensary burglary nets $8 and a broken scale

9News broke the story last night of a group of burglars who broke into Riverside Wellness early Monday morning, walking out with a whopping $8 in cash and leaving hundreds of live marijuana plants just weeks from maturity untouched. It wasn't exactly the work of criminal masterminds.

Video: Exploding hash about 10% THC and CBD, 90% who knows what

We recently shared a video of exploding hash -- a chunk of what I was told was in-house butane shatter oil that flared up like a flamethrower when it hit my titanium nail and sent a cloud of stringy, black particles of tar into the air. See it below. Earlier this week, we dropped a sample to be tes ... More >>

THC driving bill's passage prompts nationwide NORML action alert

Yesterday afternoon, the Colorado Senate approved Senator Steve King's THC driving bill by an 18-17 vote thanks to the support of Senator Nancy Spence, who'd recommended additional study for a similar measure that fell short of passage last year. Now, the proposal is headed to the Colorado House, an ... More >>

Marijuana: John Suthers uses Drugfree.org study to decry rising teen pot use

Shocker: The Partnership at Drugfree.org conducted a study on teen marijuana use, and the results are not positive. Equally big shocker: Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, who never misses an opportunity to criticize medical marijuana, is using the report to climb on the anti-cannabis soapbox ... More >>

Students for Sensible Drug Policy holding international conference in Denver

Today through Sunday, experts on U.S. Drug Policy and the medical marijuana movement are meeting with politically minded students from across the nation at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. And while 4/20 is still a month a way, the students debating the pros and cons of drug policy at Students ... More >>

Marijuana activists form Patient Voter Project, blast Obama's MMJ policies

At 11 a.m. today, a rally will take place outside President Barack Obama's local campaign headquarters. But the participants won't be calling for his reelection -- at least not yet. Instead, the charter members of the Patient Voter Project, made up of numerous prominent marijuana advocates, will be ... More >>

Medical marijuana v. recreational use: NORML controversy, Colorado connection

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is the country's most powerful cannabis advocacy organization, and it's long had a close link to Colorado, which hosted its 40th anniversary conference last year. But relations between NORML and Colorado's medical marijuana community ... More >>

With Occupy Denver protester Corey Donahue, nothing is ever easy

Reefer Madness, Redux

Marijuana: No-punishment-for-cannabis-possession initiative ready for title board

Michelle LaMay.​Last month, we told you about Michelle LaMay submitting ballot language that would end all punishment for cannabis possession in Colorado. Her proposal is one step closer to reality after the language was approved by the Colorado Title Board LaMay met with the Colorado Legisla ... More >>

Reader: Marijuana legalization advocates -- can't we all just get along?

Mason Tvert.​Yesterday, marijuana advocate Mason Tvert refuted claims that his group's filing of 2012 legalization initiatives wasn't intended to disrespect local activists. One commenter called for all parties in this particular dispute to put down their arms and give peace a chance.

NORML presents Hunter S. Thompson Media Award to "Denver Westworld" at conference

Big pic below.​This past week, Denver played host to the annual conference of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. On Friday, I was part of a panel discussion at which NORML presented its Hunter S. Thompson Media award to "Denver Westworld" -- which is close, but ... More >>

Medical marijuana question for Doug Linkhart at mayoral debate a coincidence -- I swear!

Booted.​It was the 41st, or maybe the 42nd, possibly the 43rd, mayoral debate of the endless 2011 campaign season. Last night, I moderated a forum featuring all nine remaining mayoral candidates sponsored by a group of downtown/central Denver organizations at Coors Field, which was remarkable ... More >>

NORML conference deserves honorary proclamation: Kenny Be's Worst-Case Scenario

​ The Denver mayor and City Council hand out an honorary proclamations nearly everyday. Organizations as varied as martial arts dojos and garden clubs are honored for their unique contributions to the city. It seems only fitting that NORML, a marijuana legalization group holding its convention ... More >>

NORML 40th anniversary conference in Denver preview: A celebration of cannabis commerce

​According to Allen St. Pierre, executive director of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), today's 4/20 bashes in Denver and Boulder are the biggest rallies of their type "on earth." And he expects that they'll ready the faithful for NORML's 40th annual conferenc ... More >>

Cannabis edibles as breakthrough autism treatment? Mieko Hester-Perez tells Joey's story

More pics below.​Talk about timing. The day after a hearing about a proposed medical marijuana edibles industry ban that was modified to target allegedly misleading MMJ labels (featuring a probably mythical product called Cap'n Chronic), Casselman's will host an "awareness mixer" for the Uncon ... More >>

Marijuana rally as legislature opens session: Miguel Lopez shifts location after permit denial

Miguel Lopez.​In January 2010, Mile High NORML staged a pro-cannabis rally across the street from the State Capitol in conjunction with the opening day of the legislative session. But when advocate Miguel Lopez filed a permit to repeat the feat this year, his application for the same location ... More >>

KushConII to take medical marijuana seriously, says MMJ user/cancer patient Cheryl Shuman

Cheryl Shuman.​KushConII, December 17-19 at the Colorado Convention Center, has made news over its RTD bus ads, which have drawn protests from law-enforcement. But Cheryl Shuman, the event's international director of PR and media, would rather focus on the event itself, which she says takes me ... More >>

Medical marijuana in Arizona: An open letter to AZ from Westword pot critic William Breathes

​Dear Arizona, How are things? We haven't talked much lately, what with all of the craziness you guys got into with the feds. But I wanted to congratulate you on (barely) passing your MMJ laws!

Marijuana group denied permit for Jan. rally, Miguel Lopez threatens legal action (PHOTOS)

Miguel Lopez.​Last January, Mile High NORML staged a pro-cannabis rally across the street from the State Capitol to correspond with the opening of the legislative session; see photos below. But advocate Miguel Lopez's attempt to stage a sequel has hit a stumbling block. The state has denied hi ... More >>

Pipe Dreams

NORML director salutes Wynkoop for advertising beer like weed

A happy Allen St. Pierre.​It's not often that a representative of NORML salutes beer. But that's precisely what executive director Allen St. Pierre does, sort of, in a piece celebrating Denver's own Wynkoop Brewery for an ad that makes the watering hole seem like a medical marijuana center vi ... More >>

Medical marijuana bill: Current version of HB 1284 would allow city councils to ban dispensaries

Photo by Robert FisherMaybe not coming to a town near you.​During an interview last week, Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation front man Matt Brown wasn't certain that new language inserted into House Bill 1284, a measure designed to regulate the medical marijuana industry, gave city co ... More >>

Rob Corry offers free defense for anyone ticketed for smoking weed on 4/20

No one's taken Rob Corry up on his offer -- yet.​As noted in a just-published blog, the Cannabis Therapy Institute has called on Boulder DA Stan Garnett to forgo prosecuting anyone ticketed for smoking weed at CU's annual orgasm of cannabis consumption. If Garnett decides to go ahead anyway, ... More >>

4/20 brings rallies -- and reporters -- to International Cannabis Day

​Even before today's celebration of International Cannabis Day commences in Civic Center Park at 9 a.m., this city's booming medical marijuana business has already inspired a number of out-of-town journalists to come to Denver to cover the event. And there will be plenty to report on today, b ... More >>

4/20 offer: Visit your legislator and get lei'd -- for free

CTI is handing out these babies at Civic Center today.​The International Cannabis Day festivities that kick off at 9 a.m. this morning at Civic Center Park have a major political component, as stressed in a recent interview with NORML executive director Allen St. Pierre, who'll deliver the eve ... More >>

4/20's top ten trademark violations

For Denver's ganjapreneurs, this is what 4/20 is all about.​If there's one thing Denver's marijuana movement has embraced, it's a wanton disregard for federal laws. And no day illustrates this sentiment more than 4/20, when marijuana patients and exuberant scofflaws alike ascend on the Capitol ... More >>

4/20 in Boulder preview: "An orgasm of cannabis consumption"

Photo by Leland Rucker4/20 2009 in Boulder: Orgasm alert!​In an interview last week, NORML executive director Allen St. Pierre confirmed that he'll be attending the politically oriented 4/20 rally at Denver's Civic Center Park this year. It'll be his second straight 4/20 in Colorado. Last yea ... More >>

The Daily Show blows some smoke with Westword's pot critic

4/20 in Denver speaker, NORML executive director Allen St. Pierre, says Colorado has no peer when it comes to accepting cannabis

Allen St. Pierre loves green... ties.​As the executive director of NORML, the nation's best-known marijuana-reform advocacy organization, Allen St. Pierre could spend 4/20 anywhere in the U.S. So why's he coming to Denver for next week's spectacle at Civic Center Park? Two main reasons: "This ... More >>

Medical marijuana patients can't smoke in CU dorms -- and NORML rep says that's discriminatory

Not in here, you don't.​Today's Boulder Daily Camera features a story about a policy at the University of Colorado at Boulder allowing freshman students who are also medical marijuana patients to live off-campus rather than in school dorms. On the surface, this appears to be a liberalizing of ... More >>

Mason Tvert touts marijuana-is-better-than-alcohol rallies at eighty-plus colleges nationwide

Mason Tvert prefers Emerald to Amethyst.​For indefatigable marijuana booster Mason Tvert, founder of the advocacy organization Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), April 1 is a very big day. Rallies are scheduled to take place at more than eighty colleges and universities across ... More >>

Medical marijuana dispensary owner Jason Irwin on the pros and cons of talking to the press

Jason Irwin as he appeared on CNN this week.​These days, people involved in the medical marijuana community are understandably paranoid about interacting with the press -- and especially TV reporters -- thanks to the story of Highlands Ranch's Chris Bartkowicz, who was arrested following a Dru ... More >>

Pro-marijuana candidate Miguel Lopez to challenge John Hickenlooper for Democratic guv nomination

Miguel Lopez seen introducing Rob Corry at a 2008 marijuana rally.​Yesterday, we pointed out that the Mile High NORML Cannabis Rally, slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. this morning across the street from the west steps of the capitol, would feature a special blessing by Reverend James Marks of the ... More >>

Top Meds: Award-winning medical marijuana strains

All hail the munificence of Haze-Wowie!​Afghani, OG Kush, Purple Skunk, White Widow... With so many strains to choose from at local dispensaries, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Thankfully, a variety of medical marijuana contests have popped up around Colorado recently, and they ... More >>

Legalizing marijuana -- medical or otherwise -- has become the toke of the town

CU to host Cannabis Health Fair

​Colorado's confusing medical-marijuana laws have led to plenty of puffing on all sides of the issue, with the Cannabis Therapy Institute taking a leading role in pushing for greater availability of what it sees as a healing weed. Last week, the organization joined forces with other medical-ma ... More >>

The Cannabis Therapy Institute's open letter to Colorado officials

The logo of the Cannabis Therapy Institute.​The Cannabis Therapy Institute, an organization "dedicated to helping patients achieve a better quality of life with cannabis," may have an Iowa phone number, but it's been very involved of late with pot issues in Colorado. Its "About Us" page notes, ... More >>

Internet leaps to support student banned from prom for whiff of weed

Sarah Heideman, in an image from Channel 9. A press conference featuring Sarah Heideman, a Brighton High School student who was banned from prom because her boyfriend, Jason Schweinsberg, allegedly smelled like marijuana, received a surprising amount of mainstream coverage in the Denver area, in pa ... More >>

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