NORML Conference
Sunday, October 4th, 2009Last week, I spoke at a California break out session at an annual conference hosted by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in San Francisco. The video below has some of my comments about the Americans for Safe Access (ASA) campaign in California. I kept my comments about legal victories and patients’ rights short, because most of the people in the crowded room were there to discuss the pros and cons of three cannabis legalization initiatives competing for a place on the November 2010 ballot.
My comments are followed by a panel discussion on cannabis and athleticism including ASA member and mixed martial arts champion Toby “TigerHeart” Grear. I testified for Toby at the California Athletic Commission last year when he was suspended for testing positive for medical cannabis in a pre-fight drug screening. Toby’s suspension is another example of the need to end discrimination against patients – one of the priorities for California ASA I mentioned in my comments.
I was pleased to learn that NORML awarded me the Peter McWilliams Activist of the Year Award at the conference. Unfortunately, I did not get word of the honor before the award was presented at the opening night dinner. Thanks to NORML for the award. Sorry I missed it!
