By Paul Armentano, NORML. Posted November 7, 2008

We've had our celebrations; now the real work begins.

In Massachusetts, where 65 percent of voters mandated an end to minor marijuana possession arrests, police and pundits are already calling on lawmakers to amend -- or even repeal -- the new law. Therefore, if you reside in Massachusetts, it is critical that you contact your state elected officials, as well as Democrat Gov. Deval Patrick and Attorney General Martha Coakley, and demand that they fully implement the will of 1,938,366 registered voters of the commonwealth of Massachusetts who voted "yes" on 2.

As for the rest of us, now is the time to make your voice heard federally. The election of Barack Obama, coupled with Democrat control of both the House and the Senate, presents a unique and critical opportunity for federal marijuana law reform. Voters on Election Day demonstrated overwhelmingly that they favor political reform in this country, and that reform includes new directions in marijuana policy.

Obama's transition team has established a website, Change.gov | Of the People, By the People, asking for "our ideas" and "help" to "solve the biggest challenges facing our country." Unfortunately, neither the 'war on drugs' nor 'marijuana' appears on the "the agenda."

It's up to us -- the cannabis community -- to make it part of the agenda.

Please contact the Office of President Elect Obama and demand that our next President engages in a national dialogue on marijuana policy. Below are three suggested ways Obama can take immediate, practical steps to reform America's antiquated and punitive pot laws:

1. President Obama must uphold his campaign promise to cease the federal arrest and prosecution of (state) law-abiding medical cannabis patients and dispensaries by appointing leaders at the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the US Department of Justice, and the US Attorney General's office who will respect the will of the voters in the thirteen states that have legalized the physician-supervised use of medicinal marijuana.

2. President Obama should use the power of the bully pulpit to reframe the drug policy debate from one of criminal policy to one of public health. Obama can stimulate this change by appointing directors to the Office of National Drug Control Policy who possess professional backgrounds in public health, addiction, and treatment rather than in law enforcement.

3. President Obama should follow up on statements he made earlier in his career in favor of the decriminalization of marijuana by adults by calling for the creation of a bi-partisan Presidential Commission to review the budgetary, social, and health costs associated with federal marijuana prohibition, and to make progressive recommendations for future policy changes.

On Election Day, voters in Massachusetts, Michigan, and throughout the country gave President Elect Obama and the incoming Congress a mandate to end the Bush drug war doctrine. Now let's get down to business to assure that our message is implemented.

If you live in Michigan do this now!

I am asking the US members of ROLLITUP to contact the Office of President Elect Obama and demand that our next President engages in a national dialogue on marijuana policy.

This is how change takes place!
I would consider it a personal favor for the site to get behind this for me.

Sub

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http://www.dankgearonline.com

Get Dank here..

agreed and subscribed to see others ideas on ways to help. i'll hop on any bandwagon i can to further the cause.

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contact your congressperson about H.R. 5843
it will only remain illegal as long as our opinions remain muted

Contact Officials - NORML &ou can send a message to your local state rep. They even have a pre written one.

I've never posted on here before now, but I figured this was a good one to start on. I've been reading everything on here for a while now, just never got around to posting anything. I just sent Obama a message on his site. Everyone should do the same. Subcool you're the man. Can't wait to grow some of your stuff. Take it easy...

would it be advised to talk to my lawyer about helping wright a letter to my state and on a fed lvl. putting togather such letters have always been difficult.

plus he knows bigger words than i.

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www.norml.org
my grow

yeah you might want him to "wright" it for you

Pause for the Cause Rollitup!!

I'm behind you on this one Sub, most definitely. If we could get every member of RIU to get behind this as well, that would be sooo many more people. Hope to see this grow into something that might change innocent people getting locked up for smoking pot, while the REAL derelicts and murderers walk our streets.

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Everyone on this site, should join their local chapter of NORML or any other group who's sole purpose is to stop marijuana Prohibition.
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There is strength in numbers.
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I've been a member of NORML in Arkansas for a long time. Our leaders organize letter writting challenges and "fax the facts" challenges - to our state government on a regular basis. It is begining to make a difference. Years ago, they fell on deaf ears. Now, slowly letters are getting return responses & officals are calling our leaders.
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Organize and let your voice be heard. Support Norml by giving, even if it's only $ 5
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It will be money well spent.
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Our government is of and for the people, only when we insist. Let's insist on what's right " Stop arresting smokers " arrest real criminals instead.
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Keep it Real.....

FIGHT THA POWERS THAT BE ! FIGHT THA POWER!!!!