Larkins

obviously it's too late for any other states to do it this year, but in the next couple years, I could see this being a very useful way to get decriminalization or legalization of medical cannabis ... or maybe we can even do better than that while we're at it.

i've heard people mention petitions and stuff, but are there any good resources out there that consolidate the methods to get proposals on ballots for all 50 states?

there are a billion colleges near where i am, and i can't see that it would be difficult to get an assload of signatures endorsing a proposal for at least medical cannabis (I'm in NC btw, in case anyone cares or know about that particular state) ...

i know people say if you wanna help then donate to one of the groups setup to help with this sort of thing, but i'm a big fan of getting out there and touching people. there is nothing that really touches others more than seeing the real, positive, effects that cannabis can have on people especially in a medical capacity.

i've got migraines and i went through everything without finding a workable solution. from all the triptans and anti-convulsants and some other stuff ... if it worked it made me a useless human being and i couldn't do anything at all. cannabis cures my migraines within 5 minutes and allows me to function in normal society very well. people who know me and have seen the impact cannabis has had on my life have been instantly swayed. i know experiencing it along side a loved one is better, but people still listen ... sometimes ... and maybe if more people can tell their stories we'll see more people start listening to reason.

and signing petitions.

anyway ... i wanna get a medical cannabis bill on the next ballot i can down here and i want to know how to start making it happen. help me out.

Buzzby

It sounds like you're talking about action at the state level. First, some states' constitutions provide for ballot initiatives and some do not, so you have to be in a state that allows for it. In some places you have to indicate your intentions to the board of elections before you can petition.

There are no resources for running identical initiatives in all 50 states (or all of them that allow for ballot initiatives). There is no provision for ballot initiatives at the federal level.

Marijuana users are not great activists for medical marijuana or marijuana legalization. Only 0.25% of us have even bothered to join one of the three major pro-legalizations. From 24,000,000 marijuana users, these organizations get only $9,000,000 a year. They get another $9,000,000 from a few super-rich supporters. That's the entire budget for everything they do. By contrast, the government spends $100,000,000 a year on TV spots alone. If each of us put in a mere $25 a year, the movement would have $600,000,000 to spend on educating the public and lobbying our representatives.

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA)

__________________

Vicki

I agree, $25.00 a year is nothing, really, and people would not even miss it. They could even donate when they get their tax refunds. If you break that down, it's only 6 cents a day.

Six cents a day is not much to ask if people truly want legalization/decriminalization. People spend more money than that on stupid stuff everyday.

__________________
Be kinder than necessary as everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Save the Wand Hash!
Hungry? Non-Cannabis Recipes
Want real free samples?
Those that forget the past are condemned to re-live it.
"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of compassion and pity,
you have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man."
~ St. Francis of Assisi ~

jpbc99

To answer the question...in mass...it take 100k valid signatures. I told all my friends to vote. I told one who laughed and said: "...no...im not gonna vote...im gonna smoke anyway..." that if he didnt vote and it failed...I will hate. Anyone from age 18 to 35 should be hitting the ballots. There are around 5 to 1. Us vs them. Just show up and vote in ma come nov 4!

Larkins

super lame. NC doesn't allow ballot initiatives ...

looks like i'll have to get myself elected to the NC legislature ...

Larkins

very true ... i'll definitely donate, but any time you put money into something like that there are administrative costs and all that -- it doesn't all get where i needs to go. the only true way to do something about it is to do something about it ...

i agree that $25 a year isn't overly burdensome and i hope everyone does throw some money at the cause. i certainly will be doing so.

but i'm still going to, next time i have the opportunity, run for either the house or senate in the NC GA.

duckmn56

I have already donated $40 this year and im a poor ass student...

chow592

How about setting up group donation days on this forum? We could establish a couple of days a year where the members here encourage each other to make a donation. I think a lot of people don't donate because because they figure their private donation isn't going to influence anyone else to join them and what difference is one donation going to make. If we had a thread about members donating on a specific day maybe people would feel they are making a more significant contribution and would have a place to brag about their good deed.

Vicki

Lots of people here encourage others to donate, including myself. People just need to actually donate.

chow592

Well I guess I will start two unofficial marijuana.com donation days. How about a week before Thanksgiving day and of course April 20. I will start a new thread to try and gain some followers as my first donation day approaches. Sorry for the hijack