Originally Posted by Lit_Match

I like to think the legalization of cannabis use is not a question of if, but when.

Let's face it though, the world doesn't run on good intentions and happy thoughts, it runs on money. Presidential hopefuls will need to raise several hundred million if they even want to be taken seriously this election because it costs money, lots of it you want to remain in the public eye. The same holds true for the organizations trying to end cannabis prohibition. Sponsoring rallies takes money, hiring signature gatherers takes money, hiring lawyers to lobby takes lots of money, this is by no means an entire list of what requires funding.

What money these organizations do have compared to how much the government has to spend discrediting them makes them figuratively no more than a whisper in a howling wind.

How can I contribute?

If more cannabis users financially contributed to the established organizations than the ones that currently do (which isn't even 1 percent), we would be living much different lives and may not even need a legalization section on this site.

There are many organizations out there trying to end cannabis prohibition. The two listed below in my opinion are the two major players and have the best chance of effectively applying your funds to the legalization effort.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws - NORML - any donation to NORML can be made tax-deductible by filling in the check-box that reads "please make my donation tax-deductible" found at the bottom of the different donation pages.

The Marijuana Policy Project - MPP - you can make tax-deductible donations to MPP by donating to the MPP Foundation

* Note: All tax-deductible donations to either organization will be used for public education purposes. Not that it's a bad thing, but if you want your money to go to lobbying, a non-tax-deductible donation is the best route.

Don't have the money but still want to help?

There are a lot of things you can do for free that will certainly help the legalization effort. You can write to your governor, your mayor, your congress representative, you could even write the president if you want.

You don't have to be the most word savvy person in the world, just be honest and sincere. It's their job to listen to the voice of the people, when enough people voice their concerns they are much more likely to do something about it.

Feel like the violence associated with the black market is unnecessary? Let them know. Feel like citizens being arrested for using a substance far less destructive than alcohol is destructive to this nation? Let them know.

Arrests have gone up annually, spending has gone up annually. Our taxes are being spent where they have been proven highly ineffective and our citizens are being locked away at alarming rates (800,000+ last year I think). These things need to be addressed, cannabis prohibition has failed.

If you would like to see change in the future, then help make the change happen. Make a donation, there is no minimum, if you only have a few dollars they won't complain. Write to a government official, even correct misinformed individuals who believe this country has been in any way successful concerning prohibition.

One thing can be certain though, sitting around complaining about a cop messing with you or having to hide your activities to stay out of the court system will get absolutely nothing done.

Take the next step and help make legalization happen. You'll be thanking yourself in the future when you're getting a buzz under a tree at the park with no worries of being arrested.