12-13-2012 Meeting Minutes for Northern Wisconsin NORML

12-13-2012 Meeting Minutes for Northern WI NORML

At 6:00 PM Rich called the meeting to order.

Board Members in attendance: Rich, Jessica, Nox, Dani, Linda (and Jay via Google Hangout)
Members in attendance: Robert, Elizabeth, Steven, Brianna, TJ
Several people attended the Google Hangout remotely.
At 6:25 pm, someone came in and sat in the back.

We waived the reading of the meeting minutes from last meeting.

The secretary read the Treasurer’s report.

Rich discussed some of the concerns that prohibitionists have brought up around legalization. For example, drugged driving. Being high at the workplace. 18 year olds who are still in high school. For these reasons and more, we are advocating for the responsible use of cannabis for individuals who are 21 and over. The reason that Mason Tvert and others in Colorado have had such success, is because they are advocating for regulating cannabis like alcohol.

He also mentioned briefly that if you have a family history of mental illness, or addiction, you should not use cannabis.

Rich discussed that two states legalizing cannabis is going to have a worldwide impact. South America is already feeling the impact, and several other states are discussing this topic as well.

When discussing these topics with our legislators, we need to stress responsible use by adults over 21; we need to put emphasis on the fact that we are ruining people’s lives and marking them for life as criminals, as well as tearing families apart, for using a plant. This needs to end.

We discussed HR 6606 – we should all take the time to contact our federal representatives and ask them to support HR 6606.

We need event ideas for Northern WI NORML. We also need people who are willing to take ownership of events in the following ways:

Identify an event that we would like our chapter to appear at.
Contact them and find out the requirements to be a vendor.
Help run the booth.

We discussed the change for change campaign. TJ designed the can covers, and brought an example to show us. It looks good! He is going to email the JPG to Jessie so we can put it on the site and facebook as well. Rich already got the permit for Appleton Change for Change, and will be out collecting change this weekend. If you are able to in your area, please consider doing the same. A permit is cheap, and being out on the street encourages discussion around the topic.

We also need fundraising ideas. We need to buy tents and other materials for the chapter. Donations are needed and appreciated!

Lobby Day is January 16, 2012 in Madison. The Madison NORML Chapter will be setting up a table and providing some materials for the event. Anyone can go that day and speak to their legislators. Please dress professionally and do your best to impress them. Know who your legislators are, and be prepared with your questions, comments, and information that you would like to share. It is of the utmost importance that we impress them with our professional demeanor and organization. Jay added that we should print out signature forms beforehand, and bring signatures or other documentation of support from their constituents.

Elizabeth mentioned that there is an indoor farmer’s market in Oshkosh running through spring, and she would like Northern WI NORML to table there either on 4-20, or another date.

Keith Stroup, the founder of NORML, has a new book coming out called “It’s NORML to smoke pot: The 40 year fight for Marijuana Smokers’ Rights”. We are going to order some, so if you want one, talk to Rich for details.

Rich also mentioned Cash Hyde, the 4 year old brain cancer patient in Montana, whose parents’ had been treating him with hemp oil. He successfully fought the cancer twice, but the third time, they ran into problems with the Montana laws, and were unable to treat him. Cash Hyde passed away on November 14, 2012.

We discussed some of the types of merchandise that might go well for our chapter, as well as possible venues to sell them in. Elizabeth wants to look into finding a local source of hemp t-shirts, but the high cost of these types of items are prohibitive at this time. We need to fundraise so we can make enough money to purchase hemp T-shirts.

It’s not enough to just talk about ideas – we need to take action. Most important right now is fundraising and awareness. Even if you just collect change from your friends to bring to the meeting, that’s a great starting point.

TJ asked if we know what the Green Bay legislators’ stance on Industrial Hemp is, since there are so many paper mills around the area. We are not aware of their stance, and TJ is encouraged to contact his legislators in GB and ask them his questions, as well as inform them if possible.

Rich also mentioned that Board Member elections are coming up soon. We would like to pass the torch to the next generation. If there is anyone who wants to become more active, please see a board member for details.

Linda discussed Moms for Marijuana. She is starting the Northern Wisconsin chapter of Moms for Marijuana. They are allowed to coordinate with the NORML meetings for the time being, until they have enough members to have their own meeting. Anyone can join – you don’t have to be a mom – so tell your friends, and if anyone is interested, come to the next NORML meeting for more information! She has some T-shirts available also.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:44 pm.