On a side note, Christiano’s was one of the local business that just a year earlier was brave enough to allow us to hold our meetings at their establishment. Our chapter soon found a home in our local public library with additional and valuable resources. We conducted and continue to bring awareness meetings and expo style events to libraries throughout Wisconsin as our public awareness campaign. This event, which not only brought awareness to the public via print, radio, internet and cable access media, but we were pretty loud also…so I am sure a few people heard our music and our message. It was a awesome event, great fellowship and excellent music.
Here are some of the highlights from our musical entertainer Dave Sky:
This video of Dave Sky’s Music is from the 2nd annual Northern Wisconsin NORML 4/20 concert.
Northern WI NORML
The song is called “The Joint Song”
To enjoy the performances by A Royal Clark, please click here:
1-09-14 Meeting Minutes for Northern WI NORML
Board Members Present: Jay, Jessie, Jason, Dani, Linda
Meeting called to order at 5:57 pm
4 signatures were handed in from field activist Chris. Thanks!!!
December Treasurer’s Report: Beg Bank Bal $560.31, PayPal: $131.31, $127.60 contributions, $2.43 expenses, Ending Balance $645.31 – 4 New Members, all came from our December 2013 public meeting.
Gene brought us a contribution from Smokey’s in Shawano – Thank You!
Gene shared with us som fundraising ideas, including:
Products (tshirts, braceles, pies, etc)
Grants (do we have any people experienced with grant writing?)
Donations (seek out corporate sponsors or wealthy individuals)
Events (concerts and other venues)
Generating Membership
Fundraising Websites (Rally, Kickstarter, etc)
Miscellaneous (auctions, movie screenings, tabling events, etc)
Jay spoke about the progression of salesmanship. Ask them to sign a petition first. Then ask them to write a personal note about it. Then ask them for a donation. If they do all of those things… you can leave it at that, and maybe next time you see them, ask if they want to buy a Tshirt or pin or other merchandise.
Right now, the merchandise we do offer to people, are as follows:
Tshirts
Gold Leaf Pins
Activist Kits
Bracelets
A new member asked, what is the goal of fundraising? What are we working towards?
Jay explained a bit about our fundraising goals and efforts. For example, we are out of business cards. We need $233 to print 1000 cards. We need to order more shirts, we only have 3 left, and need to order more. We are almost out of gold pins and need at least $200 to order more. Every time we print a thousand petitions or informational sheets, that costs money as well. Every time we table at an event, there are usually permits and other fees associated with those events. We also need to purchase other equipment and materials. There are so many different goals that we have, just to cover the most basic of operating costs. However there are a lot of other, bigger things we could do if we had enough money. The board and core volunteers who are always here, spend a great deal of their personal time and money in order to fund and provide these things. We are already spending all that we can afford to out of our own pockets. We need to find ways to get the general membership base to donate towards these costs as well.
The member asked why we are not seeking grants out, and what we would do with a large grant if we could get one. We had a general discussion regarding grant writing.
We continued the discussion of products and fundraising ideas.
Gene pointed out that one way to generate membership is to go to coffee shops, gas stations, etc, which offer bulletin boards, and hang our Northern WI NORML business cards.
He also mentioned that he thinks it would be beneficial to contact people are in legal trouble due to cannabis. So, he thinks that those are the people we need to contact. We discussed this a bit. First of all, most of those people are too busy fighting their cannabis charges to divert time to activism. After their cases are resolved, if they are not in prison, we would have to use CCAP to look them up, cross reference their other crimes to make sure that they are not using other drugs or have any other types of convictions. And then track down their contact information. That is a lot of work to do, for each and every direct contact. This may or may not be a practical idea, depending on logistics.
Briefly discussed the billboard project. Gene would like to put a project on a site like rally or kickstarter.
Membership – we need to do something about expired memberships, etc. Database, or other solution. We discussed this, and email lists.
We should make a list of items that we need funded for our website and then direct people to that page, so that someone could choose to fund a specific project.
Board of Directors – please review the by-laws v. 4.2 as of 4/20/2011, for our chapter and make suggestions for any proposed changes in 2014. The bylaws are available in Google Drive in the Board of Directors folder.
Review National NORML Affiliate By Laws also and develop committee and procedure to and/or for::
Membership Reporting to National NORML and keeping better track of members, possible membership cards?
Working with National NORML to hold one joint event/fundraiser each year. (Perhaps all regional/city chapters in Wisconsin working on this project together)
Discussed Lobby Day on January 15th, and having someone from our chapter attend the other chapters’ meetings around the state, so that we can share information more efficiently.
Washington, DC: Members of the US Senate have introduced Senate Bill 1726, ‘The Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015,’ to permit financial institutions to engage in business relationships with the marijuana industry. The measure is companion legislation to the House version of the bill, HR 2076.
The Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015 provides “a safe harbor for depository institutions providing financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business” and provides legal protections to both financial institutions and their employees.”
The Senate version of the bill has six co-sponsors while the House bill has 26 co-sponsors.
Commenting on the legislation, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “No industry can operate safely, transparently or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions. Members of Congress should move forward with this legislation so that this growing number of state-compliant businesses, and their consumers, may operate in a manner that is similar to other legal commercial entities.”
More information on The Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015 is available from NORML’s Take Action Center here: http://www.norml.org/act.
Sign the petition over at National NORML’s website. Here is the text:
Members of the US House and Senate are sponsoring The Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015 to permit financial institutions to engage in business relationships with the marijuana industry. The House version of the bill is HR 2076. The Senate version is S. 1726.
Presently, most major financial institutions refuse to provide services to state-compliant operators in the marijuana industry out of fear of federal prosecution. The Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015 provides “a safe harbor for depository institutions providing financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business insofar as it prohibits a federal banking regulator from: (1) terminating or limiting the deposit or share insurance of a depository institution solely because it provides financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business; or (2) prohibiting, penalizing, or otherwise discouraging a depository institution from offering such services.”
In addition, the measure provides legal protections to both financial institutions and their employees. The Act states: “Immunity from federal criminal prosecution or investigation is granted, subject to certain conditions, to a depository institution that provides financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business in a state or one of its political subdivisions that allows the cultivation, production, manufacture, sale, transportation, display, dispensing, distribution, or purchase of marijuana. Neither the depository institution nor its officers, directors, nor employees may be held liable under federal law or regulation solely for providing such financial services or further investing income derived from those services.”
No industry can operate safely, transparently or effectively without access to banks or other financial institutions. Members of Congress ought to change federal policy so that this growing number of state-compliant businesses, and their consumers, may operate in a manner that is similar to other legal commercial entities.
Please enter your zip code below to contact your House and Senate members and urge them to support this pending legislation.
Ron Paul and Barney Frank have submitted a bi-partisan bill to end the failed War on Drugs. HR 2306 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, which is presided over by Rep. Lamar Smith (R) out of San Antonio, Texas. Rep Smith has refused to put the Bill on the Committee’s agenda.
Rep. Smith had a luncheon on July 5th from 11:30am to 1pm at Green Pastures Restaurant 811 W. Live Oak Street, Austin,Texas. This luncheon is hosted by the Republican Club of Austin. Texas NORML and its supporters attended the luncheon and let the Representative know the facts and supporting reasons he should support this bill.
Recap of July 5th luncheon with Rep. Lamar Smith, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee to which HR 2306 has been assigned
Lamar Smith (R-TX)
Today we attended a luncheon with Rep. Lamar Smith, hosted by the Republican Club of Austin at Green Pastures Restaurant in central Austin, along with several other activists who would like to see HR 2306 move forward in the House Judiciary Committee.
The luncheon was semi-formal, and $25/person for those who aren’t a member of the Republican Club of Austin.
After lunch was served, and Rep. Smith spoke, there was a question and answer session and thankfully one of those in our group, Kris Bailey, was lucky enough to be called on for the final question.
Kris, identifying himself as a hard-core small government individual, noted that there has been news that Rep. Smith is holding back debate and a committee vote on HR 2306, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011.
Rep. Smith responded by insinuating that he is not holding back the debate, but that he is opposed to such a bill “because the FDA has not approved marijuana“, and “it would increase drug cartels business“, and “it would increase addiction.”
Of course, we were well prepared to dispel the incorrect assumptions of Rep. Smith, by noting that Marinol and Casemet, synthetic THC (the active ingredient in Cannabis), is legal and prescribed in all 50 states. And, in fact on April 1st 2004, Dr. Robert Meyer, Director of the Office of Drug Evaluation II at the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) submitted a Statement to the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources and the House Committee on Government Reform calling for Marijuana to be moved from a Schedule One substance, with no medical uses, to a Schedule 2 or 3 substance which are approved for medical use.
They end their statement saying:
“FDA will continue to be receptive to sound, scientifically based research into the medicinal uses of botanical marijuana and other cannabinoids. FDA will continue to facilitate the work of manufacturers interested in bringing to the market safe and effective products.”
Also, when supporters of marijuana prohibition (like Rep. Smith) point out that admissions to drug treatment for marijuana have skyrocketed, they fail to point out that the Federal Government’s own Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 58% of those marijuana treatment admissions were referrals from the criminal justice system, meaning that statistic is a direct result of the explosion of marijuana related arrests. And, finally, it goes without saying that legalizing marijuana in the United States, (the largest importer of illegal marijuana from Mexico), could potentially eliminate nearly half of the Mexican drug cartels’ illicit drug profits; who in their right mind would still purchase illegal, poor quality, Mexican marijuana when it’s perfectly legal to grow your own or get some from your friends/family who do?
We were also able to speak directly to Rep. Smith, and his senior staff, regarding these issues, as well as leave them with copies of NORML’s “Emerging Clinical Applications” handbook.
We hope that after consideration of the factual information we provided, that Rep. Smith will decide to at least allow a fair debate and vote of HR 2306 in the House Judiciary Committee. If he does not, we hope that those of you who live in his district will keep that in mind during the next election cycle.
Thank you for your continued support, and if you would like to help insure that Texas NORML can keep this kind of outreach sustained, please take a few minutes to either become a member, or donate to our organization.
I used the YouTube feature that lets you see which of your facebook friends are also on youtube so you can subscribe to them. It’s kind of cool. While I was looking through my friends’ accounts, I came across Alex Toast’s Marijuana Song, and I got a kick out of it. Well done, Alex!
Jessica read the minutes from last meeting and they were approved.
Rich read the treasurer’s report provided by Jay, who is unable to attend. He provided Jessica with a copy of the treasurer’s report.
Rich suggested that for those who are farther away, they could host a hangout at their house or other location, and invite some friends over to join the meeting online
Rich read the Madison Harvest Fest report. We set up a 10×20 tent at Harvest Fest on Oct. 6-7 and we were able to have room for all of the NORML chapters under one tent. The Texas NORML / Chronic Candy guy is going to send us some stuff also. We gave him a Northern WI NORML shirt. We were also given some hemp materials that will be displayed at our Answers to Energy Expo booth.
Unfinished business: there were new memberships gathered at harvest fest, but we really need people to become more active. We need people to put on presentations, we need board members, we need people to take initiatives on projects and help us with field activism.
Fundraising ideas: Rich displayed books, hemp products and other information at Harvest Fest. Several people wanted to purchase the books but they are for display only. He encouraged those people to ask their library to order the books to get them into the system. He also discussed possibly having a few books on hand to sell for events.
Change for Change: rich is going to make boxes unless someone has a better idea.
New Business:
October is breast cancer awareness month. Breasticle/Testicle Festival in Oshkosh on Wed Oct 24 from 6-8pm at Albee Hall at UWO. Rich thinks that we should go and hand out materials regarding cannabis and cancer. Phoenix Tears, etc.
Oct. 31 is halloween – why not carve a NORML or cannabis themed pumpkin and take a picture and upload it to facebook. Tag Northern WI NORML and Kottonmouth Kings in your pumpkin pics!
Haunted House: we may do a group field trip to a haunted house: if you can get a group of 25 together, there is a 25% discount. There is also a discount if you can get at least 8 together. Nox is the person to discuss this with.
The Cash Hyde foundation has requested help. Any donations would be appreciated. www.cashhydefoundation.com
Hemp Awareness Month is coming up in March – ideas, suggestions, etc are welcome.
Handout material creation – if you are good at creating graphics and other presentation materials, please contact Rich. We need assistance with creating some professional looking materials.
other news: large cannabis grow discovered in Chicago by police helicopters in Pembroke Township. $7M – 2 men charged.
We discussed that for upcoming events such as the answers to energy expo, we need volunteers and supporters to show up in very nice looking clothes. No tie dye, pot necklaces, etc. It’s a completely different crowd and we need to take a different approach.
Rich adjourned the meeting at 6:10pm. Nox seconded that. The meeting was adjourned.
AG Schimel and Stakeholders Resolve Questions Surrounding DATCP Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program
Industrial Hemp
MADISON, Wis. – On May 9, 2018, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) hosted a meeting with Attorney General Brad Schimel and his staff, members of the Wisconsin State Legislature, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF), and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) regarding Wisconsin’s new industrial hemp research pilot program. Specifically, those in attendance discussed the effect of 2017 Wisconsin Act 100 on Wisconsin’s existing law concerning CBD and THC.
“We all have always had full confidence in the successful implementation of the industrial hemp program in Wisconsin,” said Attorney General Schimel. “Industrial hemp has the promise of being an important part of our critical agricultural economy, and Wisconsin farmers who choose to participate in this pilot program deserve and need legislative and regulatory certainty from all parts of government.”
Wisconsin’s industrial hemp program, which is administered by DATCP, allows Wisconsin farmers to grow and sell industrial hemp, as long as they obtain a permit and abide by certain DATCP requirements. Farmers who participate in this program and follow the rules are exempt from criminal prosecution, and products made from industrial hemp, including CBD, are lawful.
“I very much appreciate WFBF raising concerns to me about Wisconsin’s current laws related to hemp,” said Attorney General Schimel. “DOJ remains committed to ensuring that CBD oil for sale at retail outlets is safe for consumers. Senator Testin has been a leader on this issue, and I know he is committed to overcome any challenges that may arise legislatively. With the 2018 Farm Bill now working its way through Congress, it is likely that our current laws will be changed even further to make industrial hemp’s legality clear. Therefore, I am advising law enforcement not to take enforcement action against products made from industrial hemp that is grown under a lawful hemp research pilot program, including CBD, until Congress considers changes to the law, enabling the Wisconsin State Legislature to further clarify the status of these products.”
During yesterday’s meeting, the Attorney General, DOJ senior staff, members of the Legislature, WFBF, and DATCP all agreed on several important points, including the following.
Farmers who follow DATCP’s rules and regulations may do the following:
Grow industrial hemp without fear of criminal prosecution;
Sell the entire industrial hemp plant or parts of the plant to anyone;
Process the plant as permitted by DATCP’s rules and regulations, which includes producing CBD.
It is important to note that the legal protections under DATCP’s program discussed above apply only to farmers who are working in compliance with DATCP authorization and retailers who are selling CBD certified to be in compliance with the provisions of the Farm Bill. Rogue producers and retailers will still be subject to prosecution.
“Although our legislature has chosen to authorize industrial hemp pilot projects and products made from that hemp, it is still very important to remind Wisconsin consumers that certain products may threaten their health or could be mislabeled,” said Attorney General Schimel. “Over the past few weeks, I have learned that there is great deal of confusion and uncertainty with products sold in grocery stores and health food stores labeled as ‘CBD.’”
“Law enforcement has encountered products labeled as CBD oil throughout the state and, until the DOJ analytical note, had no guidance on what products are legally and properly manufactured and what products might be harmful to consumers,” said Wausau Chief of Police Ben Bliven. “I appreciate the additional clarity Attorney General Schimel has provided to keep Wisconsinites safe from potentially harmful substances.”
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued several warning letters to businesses that market and sell CBD. During these investigations, the FDA learned that some materials labeled as CBD do not contain the levels of CBD that they claim. DOJ’s Analytical Note explained other health concerns related to mislabeled CBD.
“CBD is helpful for certain Wisconsinites, and the legislature has made a policy decision to allow those individuals to have access to CBD,” said Attorney General Schimel. “But we should make sure that our consumers are getting what they expect.”
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