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legal marijuanaLegalization has been adopted (either in part or in full) by voter initiatives in a number of US jurisdictions: Colorado (2012), Washington (2012), Alaska (2014), Oregon (2014), Washington, DC (2014), California (2016), Maine (2016), Massachusetts (2016), and Nevada (2016).

mj plantMarijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America (behind only alcohol and tobacco), and has been used by nearly 100 million Americans. According to government surveys, some 25 million Americans have smoked marijuana in the past year, and more than 14 million do so regularly despite harsh laws against its use. Our public policies should reflect this reality, not deny it.
 
NORML Blog

Read the NORML Blog for the latest news in marijuana law reform »

nlc logoMarijuana prohibition causes far more problems than it solves, and results in the needless arrest of hundreds of thousands of otherwise law abiding citizens each year. The NORML Legal Committee provides legal support and assistance to victims of the current marijuana laws.
 
us map selectFor 40 years, NORML has served as a clearinghouse for marijuana-related information. Much of this information is now available online in NORML's Library.
 

NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform »

Working to reform marijuana laws
  • Read more by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

    Members of the US House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs are demanding the Department of Veterans Affairs facilitate protocols to assess the efficacy of medical cannabis in veterans suffering from chronic pain and post-traumatic stress.

  • Read more by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

    Colorado's top doctor says that adult use marijuana legalization has not negatively impacted public health or safety.

  • Read more by Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director

    In an interview with conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt, Attorney General Jeff Sessions reiterated his position against marijuana, his commitment to enforcing its prohibition, and expressed an openness to use RICO suits against businesses that handle the plant.

  • Read more by NORML

    A record percentage of US adults, including majorities of Democrats, Independents, and for the first time ever, Republicans, believe that the adult use of marijuana should be legal, according to polling data released today by Gallup.

  • Read more by Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director

    Protections for the medical marijuana markets that are now legal in 30 states are set to expire on December 8th. After that, over 2 million registered patients’ continued access to their medication will rely on the prohibitionist whims of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has been lobbying aggressively for the ability to use the full force of the Justice Department to interfere with their operations.

  • Read more by NORML

    One of NORML’s primary missions is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults. One of the ways we successfully achieve this goal is by debunking marijuana myths and half-truths via the publication of timely op-eds in online and print media.

  • Read more by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

    Adults with a history of cannabis use are less likely to suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than are those who have not used the substance, according to data published online in the journal PLoS One. “Active marijuana use provided a protective effect against NAFLD independent of known metabolic risk factors,” authors determined. “[W]e conclude that current marijuana use may favorably impact the pathogenesis of NAFLD in US adults.”

  • Read more by Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director

    African Americans in Pennsylvania are over eight times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession offenses than are Caucasians, according to an analysis of statewide arrest data by the American Civil Liberties Union.