A Voice for Responsible Marijuana Smokers
Since its founding in 1970, NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) has provided a voice in the public policy debate for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition and favor an end to the practice of arresting marijuana smokers. As a nonprofit, public-interest advocacy group, NORML represents the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly.
During the 1970s, NORML led the successful efforts to decriminalize minor marijuana offenses in 11 states and significantly lower marijuana penalties in all others.
Today NORML continues to lead the fight to reform state and federal marijuana laws, whether by voter initiative or through the elected legislatures. NORML serves as an informational resource to the national media on marijuana-related stories, providing a perspective to offset the anti-marijuana propaganda from the government; lobbies state and federal legislators in support of reform legislation; publishes a regular newsletter; hosts, along with the NORML Foundation, an informative web site and an annual conference; and serves as the umbrella group for a national network of citizen-activists committed to ending marijuana prohibition and legalizing marijuana.
The oldest and largest marijuana legalization organization in the country, NORML maintains a professional staff in Washington, DC and a network of volunteer state and local NORML Chapters across the country.
