The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws provides activists who support the reform of laws regarding Industrial Hemp, Medical Marijuana and Recreational Cannabis the tools to make a difference in the community the represent.
There has been renewed interest in the Milwaukee and greater Milwaukee area in forming a local chapter of NORML.
At this point, volunteers have stepped forward, picked January 3rd, 2011 as a date to mark down on your calendars. To make a chapter functional and begin regular meetings, this first step is needed.
LOCATION: Brewing Grounds for Change, 2008 North Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53202
Please do not hesitate to contact NorthernWINORML@gmail.com if you are unable to make the meeting but still interested in helping.
You may also subscribe via email to the blog of NorthernWINORML and get up to date information sent directly to your email.
As more information develops, we will keep you posted.
Present: Jay, Narin, Charity, Laura, Jessica, Robert, and new member Jay.
Notes taken by Jessica Franke
When signing up new members, just write a note stating how many new members you signed up, and how much money you collected from each one, and then give it to the treasurer.
We need to publicize that we’re accepting board resumes, and applications for board members.
We need to get initiatives on the local ballots. Jay has established contacts who are willing to file in some jurisdictions, but we do still need people who can file in many other cities, so if you know anyone who can do so, please refer them to Jay.
Calendar: we need to look into branding a calendar that we can sell or give out with a membership, to remind people about not only our NORML chapter but hemp history dates, and other relevant dates.
Membership Drive:
New membership signup forms, we need to put things up in local businesses, libraries, etc.
Oil spill: we need to reference it and make sure there is awareness – and in contrast to the oil dispersant being used which is toxic and causing additional environmental problems, why aren’t we growing hemp fibers to clean up the oil?
Berlin Journal: our meeting announcements did not get printed again – no answer from Waushara. Berlin held it off because they wrote an actual article about hemp history week and us – it comes out tomorrow.
Ripon paper will not print our meeting location because our meetings are in Berlin, but they suggested that we buy an ad.
We need to really publicize our meetings, and also take turns writing “sound off” letters to the editor, etc.
Laura got donations from business owners she knows for the potluck fisheree, she brought a large bag of miscellaneous merchandise with her and has more to bring. Awesome job!
Jay was contacted by Walleyes for Tomorrow, who may be able to donate some fishing poles for the fisheree.
Hemp foods: pick n save has a variety of hemp foods, maybe we could set aside some budget for hemp foods, or perhaps we should all try to prepare/bring hemp foods to our picnic.
Narin has been nominated as Picnic Leader, so let her know what you plan on bringing, or if you have any questions.
Princeton flea market
Markenan’s picnic is in the evening – June 12th at 5:30pm is line-up time. They will announce your organization and say a little something about it – Jay asked if we want to be in the parade? We discussed making a banner and carrying signs in the parade. Narin mentioned that we should focus on hemp, and Jay pointed out that Joan Ballweg, who sponsored the Hemp bill, is from Markesan, so it seems appropriate. We have decided to do the parade.
Laura is on the committee for the Mt. Morris picnic and parade, and she had talked to them about possibly including NORML. July 3rd. For those who wish to help or volunteer to be a part of the event, get in touch with Laura. Mt. Morris parade sets up at 10, starts at 11, is done by 11:30, and then everyone goes to the park for the picnic, which lasts until 5pm or so. (Mt. Morris is in rural redgranite, about 5-10 minutes north of Redgranite).
July – looking for an event or thing to do for July to BBG’s is willing to do a pig roast and host a couple of bands for us – something to think about. Jay would like to reserve the park, is going to look into it. There are a good number of bands who are willing to play for free – so we have those resources to work with. Everyone should investigate their area to look for events in July, august, september, october, that we can attach ourselves to.
Madison – June 7th – there is a vigil for Sheryl Miller. Several other medical marijuana patients / supporters have passed on. This is a chance to remember them.
Leah Vukmir is having a fundraiser in Madison on June 17th – Jay, Jessie, Bob, and others are going to joinj the Madison NORML protest of her fundraiser – see jay if you want more information.
Today or tomorrow morning Jay is going to go to BP to protest the flow of oil into our oceans. Anyone who wants to join him, let him know. He was thinking about it this afternoon, or possibly tomorrow morning because of the heat.
Wisconsin NORML / Madison NORML paid for a booth for Green Lake County Fair on our behalf.
Assembly District 14 in Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties, including the city Wauwatosa and areas west along 190. (MAP) This district was a close one last election cycle. In the 2018 election, we saw four candidates on the general, with Libertarian and Moderation Party candidates taking 3.2% of the vote. Democrat Robyn Vining won by 138 votes or .4%
The Moderation candidate is now running as a Republican in a primary with two other candidates. Let’s thank WI EYE again for asking the marijuana question in 2018 and again in 2020.
Primary Election August 11, 2020
Republican Party Candidates
On July 22, 2020, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Mary Spicuzza interviewed Bonnie Lee (R-Wauwatosa) who is running for the 14th Assembly District in the upcoming partisan primary election.
Bonnie Lee says she is very wiling to have a discussion on medical marijuana / cannabis, she adds there is a FDA pipeline for bringing drugs to market, through research and development and that there is medical cannabis that is available. She goes on to say on scientific reasons she does not agree with legalizing recreational marijuana, she says THC is highly addictive and harmful, the potency of THC today is 25% and not the 5% of a generation ago, so it is not the same thing. She says there is an increased risk of schizophrenia and psychosis for marijuana users and there is a significant risk to babies, in utero and to the developing adolescents mind if the mothers used marijuana when pregnant, so for those reasons and also as the wife of a physician who has treated many people for these tragic problems and then also the consequences of those tragic medical problems she is just not in favor ignoring the scientific research she viewed around the recreational use of this drug.
OR
On July 23, 2020, WisconsinEye senior producer Steve Walters interviewed Linda Boucher (R-Brookfield) who is running the the 14th Assembly District in the upcoming partisan primary election.
Linda Boucher says look at states that legalized like Colorado with big waves of unemployment, tent cities and people deficating in the streets. She went on some ramble and I could not transcribe it all, but she says look at the data, it will be a social and cultural change. You will have to listen for yourself.
OR
Back in the 2018 election we first saw Shevey emerge as the Moderation Candidate. On September 18, 2018, Senior Producer Steve Walters interviewed Steve Shevy
On July 22, 2020, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Mary Spicuzza interviewed Bonnie Lee (R-Wauwatosa) who is running for the 14th Assembly District in the upcoming partisan primary election.Steven Shevey (R-Brookfield) who is running for the 14th Assembly District in the upcoming election.
We do not know if he has changed his stance or moved his opinion further since 2018, but back then he said he supports medical marijuana and agrees with and shares that medical marijuana is a veterans issue and for that reason we should open to medical marijuana, but for recreational, although he is young, he sees the dangers of it, cites an increased black market in legalized states, laced products and that is where he thinks we should take a step back and say can our state handle legalized marijuana.
The Facebook Pages HR 2306: Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011 and NORML are asking for our collective help:
President Obama will be hosting a “Twitter Townhall Meeting” on July 6th. If only we knew of a policy he could endorse that would create a new legal, regulated job creating market… You know the drill by now. Tweet at #AskObama & #CannabisJobs:
Why can’t we discuss legalizing cannabis to create jobs and save millions annually on enforcement? #AskObama #CannabisJobs
The President of the United States will answer your questions about the economy and jobs live via webcast from the White House streaming live on July 6th, 2011 at 2:00PM EDT and 11:00am PDT.
Help is needed collecting signatures in Oshkosh NOW, deadline is Nov 6th, 2016. Please contact Mark at 920 (251) 7986 and/or Ryan at 920 (279) 2916 to volunteer. For more information the Facebook page “Decriminalize Cannabis Oshkosh” has also been established. To help coordinate signature efforts/locations where petition is happening on a live basis please follow the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1713059495691452/
Often times, we get so wrapped up in fighting the good fight we forget to thank our hard working representatives that truly have our backs. With that said, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the supporters in our state government who sponsored AB 220 which is aimed at bringing real reform to Wisconsin’s cannabis laws. Please join me in sending these folks an email or a post on their Facebook page thanking them for their contributions to our cause. They are important to our success and we appreciate them very much. Just click their name to get their contact info.
From all of us here at Northern Wisconsin NORML we say THANK YOU for everything you do to help the people of Wisconsin work toward changing our antiquated cannabis laws. We appreciate your efforts and will work hard to help you in any way we can.
“I think Sen. Fitgerald was a little bit quick in his critique and I would have liked him to have a little bit more open-mindedness,” expressed Macco.
Macco said his wife has been traveling to Mexico for alternative health options not available in Wisconsin, so he understands what medical marijuana patients experience when they have to look outside Wisconsin for options.
“For us to have access to that is a real blessing, add I’m frustrated because not everyone has that same access and I wish they would,” he said. “I think there needs to be the tools available for all individuals to have the same access to healthcare that we do.”
Macco hopes the medical marijuana legislation is brought up for debate, but at this time no such debate is planned.
For calling out prohibitionist Senator Scott Fitzgerald alone he deserves a good grade, but also because people in his district say he supports marijuana reform. Although Rep. Macco did not officially sponsor any legisaltion on the issues this session, we consider him a supporter of medical marijuana and give him a B+
Holds office State Assembly District 88 in Brown County (Green Bay, De Pere, Bellevue) (MAP)
Position on Medical Marijuana: March 2020 via Northern Wisconsin NORML Instagram: Rep. Macco commented that he would be part of the drafting team for future medical marijuana legislation. NOTE: As a Republican Incumbent in 2018, he gave similar news statements that he would consider medical marijuana legislation.
Contact John Macco: Email: Rep.Macco@legis.wisconsin.gov
Democrat Dr. Kristin Lyerly is an obstetrician/gynecologist, mother and fierce advocate for women and families who knows we need to move beyond partisan politics to strengthen our communities by building relationships and bridging divides.
I reached out the her campaign for an early view of her stance on marijuana reform and she immediately replied, “It should be legal, no question. That said, as a physician, I also want to be sure that vulnerable populations, especially pregnant women (my area of expertise) have access to the educational materials they need to make healthy choices and avoid marijuana in pregnancy, same as we recommend that they avoid alcohol.”
Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing the medical use of marijuana.
As a physician I recognize the medical utility of this therapeutic option.
Please provide a position statement regarding decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana.
Criminalization of marijuana leads to racial and socioeconomic disparities, burdens our criminal justice system, and simply doesn’t make sense.
Please provide a position statement regarding automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions.
America bears the shame of having the highest incarcerated population in the world, largely due to over enforcement of needless and petty laws. I fully support efforts to reduce the impact of the mistakes we have already made.
Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing and regulating the responsible use of marijuana by adults.
Beyond the fact that there was never a sound reason to criminalize marijuana initially, there has never been a better time to make the change. When our communities emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic we will quickly come to understand the massive government spending that was required. Tax revenue from legalization would be a simple and effective way to fund our governments return to normalcy.
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