By Ed Rosenthal
For a very long time, activists have been ready for NORML to begin a political legalization drive. Years in the past, California NORML had a purposeful group. Nonetheless, at present it’s within the arms of a Board of Administrators who mix the worst qualities; uncreative amateurs who’ve solely a marginal curiosity within the challenge. Activists equivalent to Dennis Peron, Jack Herer and Dr. Todd Mikuriya are persistently barred from any policy-making function. The president of the native, Dale Gerringer, complains concerning the Board, however for essentially the most half appreciates their hands-off strategy to his administration.
In March and April, a number of items of regressive laws have been proposed to the California State Senate and Meeting. One invoice would have made it a separate felony offense to own any quantity of marijuana in three separate packages appropriate on the market. As an illustration, three joints or three containers of seeds. One other invoice would have made it a criminal offense to solicit to purchase pot.
The third invoice, which had variations in each legislative homes, would have restricted diversion to growers captured with ten vegetation or much less. In California, diversion is a judicial course of for individuals caught possessing or cultivating marijuana for their very own use. As a substitute of going by means of the court docket course of, the fees are waived so long as the particular person stays out of bother for 2 years. The court docket decides eligibility primarily based on a preponderance of proof. This legislation has saved California’s taxpayers thousands and thousands of {dollars} since its enactment, and has saved 1000’s of Californians the heartache of judicial proceedings and their aftermath.
Because the Senate payments started arising for a vote, Dale turned determined. He couldn’t get to the capital due to medical causes, and the Board members who have been appropriate for legislative responsibility have been both busy or uninterested. Consequently, Dale requested me to see what I may do.
First I referred to as up the legislative analyst of the invoice and spoke with him at size. (A legislative analyst describes a invoice and guesses at its results on authorities and society.)
He requested me to jot down an announcement concerning the proposals and let me know methods to register to talk earlier than the legislature. He additionally gave me recommendation on process.
The analyst requested me to jot down an announcement concerning the measure and my opinion of its results. I despatched this out to him promptly. Then, looking the again of my closet, I discovered a serviceable go well with, tie, white shirt, and footwear, and made the drive to Sacramento.
The payments have been scheduled to come back to committee at 1 P.M. I arrived within the hallowed halls at 9 A.M. and instantly began lobbying. I by no means acquired to see any legislators, however talked at size with quite a lot of their aides. The primary ones I went to see have been those that I believed could be against the payments. They have been courteous, involved concerning the points, and really useful of their feedback.
Subsequent I went to see the aides of legislators prone to be in favor of the payments. They too have been courteous and engaged in frank discussions of the payments and the marijuana challenge normally. I used to be shocked by their willingness to take part in give-and-take conversations.
The discussions with the aides have been good observe for talking earlier than the Senators. First the proponent of the invoice spoke. Then got here representatives of the police, lawyer basic’s workplace, and the CAMP individuals. Representatives of the California Legal Attorneys Affiliation and the ACLU spoke in opposition to the invoice. A involved NORML lawyer, Bob Cogan, additionally opposed them.
The payments have been fatally flawed and because the audio system mentioned them, it turned obvious that they’d not make it out of committee. All have been withdrawn. Three weeks later, the identical factor occurred in Meeting.
For essentially the most half, I discovered the legislators abysmally ignorant concerning the topic of marijuana. Normally they’re led round by the state lawyer basic, the police, and “mum or dad’s teams” as a result of no one else speaks up on the difficulty. As soon as legislators develop into extra knowledgeable, their attitudes loosen up a bit. With concerted work, their votes may be modified.
These experiences have satisfied me that continuous lobbying efforts within the state legislatures may change the marijuana legal guidelines very quickly. Prohibition is a mannequin. Within the spring of 1932, Roosevelt was against a “moist” plank as a result of he thought it might lose him votes. Inside a couple of months, public opinion had turned. The corruption, killings, and lack of liquor made the general public disgusted. Roosevelt gained not solely on anti-Hoover despair votes, but in addition due to the promise to repeal the 18th Modification. If that historical past is just too historical, keep in mind that in 1980 Reagan gained partly on an anti-Commie plank. Now the Russians are our greatest mates.
The anti-pot teams have had a subject day for years. They’ve confronted no opposition within the authorities and media and have been in a position to deal in hysterics. Now you may assist reduce quick their non-joyride. We’d like 1000’s of individuals to speak till their throats are dry.
I envision a military of lobbyists first descending on the state governments then the federal authorities. And I imply YOU. Everybody can do it. Just by studying Excessive Instances, you may be an efficient citizen-lobbyist.
With the intention to strategy the federal government most successfully, you must form of play their recreation. Listed here are some guidelines and pointers for speaking with elected authorities officers and their aides.
1) Everybody on the legislature is wearing enterprise garments. In most legislatures, this implies fits or work attire. Trying to strategy these individuals in denims makes their eyes glaze over. I do know that that is going to show lots of people off, however gown and grooming are vital. It’s a sign to them that you’re prepared to speak the identical language.
Then again, legislators normally have workplace days of their native workplace. You may go go to them there to voice your considerations. These conferences are normally extra casual than those within the capital. Nonetheless, going as much as the capital emphasizes the “significance” of the difficulty.
2) Rehearse your arguments in order that them by coronary heart, and would not have to consider them when you’re speaking with the representatives.
3) Hearken to what they should say and don’t interrupt. As soon as they’ve made their argument or requested their query, then reply it or make your rebuttal.
4) Attempt to de-polarize the difficulty by first speaking about what you agree on. After I was speaking to conservatives, I began the dialogue by citing some areas on which I knew we’d see eye to eye: “There’s a large drug downside that’s uncontrolled”; “Cocaine, particularly crack, is essentially the most harmful drug round to each society and the individuals who use it,” or “The federal government has restricted assets, and they need to be used the place they are going to do essentially the most good.”
5) Speak in sound bytes. Legislators have a restricted consideration span. As a substitute of listening to the entire build-up of an argument, they would like a bit, ideally now not than 18 seconds.
6) Don’t make an ass out of your self by blowing up or getting mad if issues don’t go your manner. The marijuana legal guidelines weren’t made in a day, and so they gained’t go away in a day. Combating marijuana legal guidelines is a long-term effort.
7) Any feedback made about your type needs to be taken to coronary heart if they’re well-intended.
There are six main the reason why marijuana needs to be legalized—they’re felony, financial, sociological, constitutional, nationwide safety and well being. In future problems with the journal, we are going to cowl every of them totally. We can even make room for feedback about your experiences preventing these unjust legal guidelines within the legislature.
So prepare and get your go well with and tie pressed. We’re going to the capital in September and October.
One final expertise. I used to be strolling down the corridor with the Particular Assistant to the Lawyer Common. He had simply given a discuss medication. He had been speaking about rehabilitating drug customers and I stated to him, “There may be one distinction between marijuana and nearly every other drug, together with the authorized ones, alcohol and tobacco. In the event you ask a nicotine addict, alcoholic, junkie, crack freak, or nearly every other drug person, ‘In the event you may get up tomorrow unaddicted and with out cravings, would you are taking the choice?’, for essentially the most half these individuals would say sure. Nonetheless, in case you ask a marijuana person the identical query, s/he’ll say no thanks, as a result of marijuana customers, for essentially the most half, don’t suppose the substance is hurting them.”
He stated, “I by no means considered that, however most of my mates who smoke it do really feel the identical manner.” A bit of little bit of progress was made at that second.
Learn the complete challenge right here.