We’re Thankful for You in 2022

Earlier than all of us collect collectively to take pleasure in Thanksgiving, we wished to ship you a be aware of appreciation. As we method the conclusion of 2022, it’s obvious that now we have a lot to be glad about. Most of all, we at NORML are grateful for you! That’s as a result of all our successes are solely potential due to YOU and your superb help in our combat for hashish freedom.

We added THREE new authorized states this yr. Rhode Island legislators accredited adult-use legalization in Might. Then, in the course of the November midterm election, voters in Maryland and Missouri determined in favor of legalization. With these statewide victories, we finish the yr with a complete of 21 authorized states. In actual fact, practically half of all People now reside in a spot the place hashish legalization is the legislation of the land.We’re additionally witnessing actual momentum on the federal degree. As soon as once more, the Home of Representatives accredited The MORE Act, which removes marijuana from the Managed Substances Act. On a number of events, Home members additionally voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act. Within the higher chamber,  the Senate chief launched complete laws to interchange the failed coverage of prohibition with certainly one of legalization and regulation. Simply final week, Congress superior a invoice to facilitate the federal approval of cannabis-specific scientific analysis and drug growth to President Biden’s desk for his signature. Furthermore, regardless of the actual fact there are only some days left within the lame-duck session, there nonetheless stays an opportunity there can be additional legislative motion taken by the Senate earlier than the ball drops on New Yr’s Eve.

We additionally noticed optimistic developments from the chief department. Since he was elected, NORML has been calling on President Biden to make good on his marketing campaign guarantees of pardoning federal marijuana offenders. Tens of hundreds of you used NORML’s Take Motion instruments to signal our petitions and ship emails in help of those priorities. In October, POTUS lastly made good on his pledge by issuing pardons for a number of hundreds of residents with federal marijuana convictions. He additionally rightfully known as marijuana prohibition a “failed coverage” and pushed his administration to provoke a long-overdue overview of marijuana’s Schedule I classification. Whereas we want and count on extra from the President (and Congress), having essentially the most highly effective elected official within the nation be part of us in declaring the continued conflict on hashish shoppers is a failure represents progress that may’t be overstated. 

However whereas now we have a lot to be glad about this Thanksgiving, we should not lose sight of the truth that we nonetheless have way more to do.

As we glance towards 2023, we see new and vital alternatives forward of us. With shifts in energy popping out of the midterms in a number of statehouses, we’re in a terrific place to maneuver legalization legislatively in a number of states, similar to Minnesota and Pennsylvania. On the federal degree, our help amongst members continues to develop. And whereas the complexities that can come up from cut up celebration management of Congress create some new hurdles, it additionally brings forth new alternatives to affect our elected officers to maneuver ahead on descheduling marijuana in a bipartisan method. We are going to want your help and engagement to maintain the strain on, however we’re in a terrific place to maintain combating for hashish shoppers.

That’s the reason at this time, whereas we rejoice our progress and in addition gear up for the battles forward, we’re asking you to make a generous donation to NORML.