In the early 1990s I lived in northern Washington for a bit and, while I was there, I was an active member of NORML.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws was founded in 1970 with that purpose in mind, to reform the ridiculous anti-marijuana laws (1), (2), and (here is the embarrassing history of the Great American Sham called the war on drugs) in this country.
Anyhow, back to NORML xD
Here is their current mission statement:
NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.
If you've ever been part of a political group like this, regardless of the issue, you know what it's like. Meetings to discuss how to get more people to understand this issue, Meetings to design and purchase merch to sell to fund the group and get the word out...I guess. Lots of talking and networking and spreading of "the facts" about the issue...
There was also lots of signature gathering.
As the name of the group says, we were trying to reform the marijuana laws of the state, so we were constantly trying to get the latest referendum on the ballot with the requisite amount of registered voters signatures. It always seemed like such an uphill battle. You'd get a sheet of 50 signatures filled and then find out some were jokes and others weren't registered voters so it was like 50-60% were good on each sheet.
I moved out of state a year or so later and didn't keep up with the group.
Fast forward about 20 years and lo and behold, we fucking did it!!!!!
Initiative 502 passed in Washington in 2012, legalizing small amounts of cannabis and setting up a license system for marijuana producers, processors, and retailers.
So let's celebrate #munchiemonday right folks, with a Fireball Trifecta cinnamon gummy and an ounce of pure silver 🎉 🎉 🎉