The 2020 Missouri NORML Conference originally schedule at the University of Missouri’s Cornell Hall Auditorium will now be a 100% virtual online streaming-live event on Saturday, October 10, 2020. Covid-19 restrictions implemented by the University have blocked access to the auditorium. The keynote speaker is attorney Keith Stroup, the founder of NORML and the entire marijuana reform movement.
Mr. Stroup founded the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws in 1970. He modeled it on other consumer interest groups, for the purpose of representing the interests of cannabis consumers as well as repealing the criminal prohibition of responsible marijuana use by adults.
In the 1970s, 11 states decriminalized the personal use and possession of small amounts of marijuana. In 1996, California became the first state to effectively legalize the medical use of marijuana by patients. In 2012, both Washington State and Colorado voted to become the first states to legalize non-medical adult-use of cannabis.
The Missouri NORML Conference will be live streamed online on the Missouri NORML Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/MissouriNORML. Check out the EVENT tab for more information.
NORML is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding back in 1970. NORML has been the leading national marijuana law reform group for the last half century. NORML continues to lead the fight for the repeal of federal marijuana prohibition and works through its national network of state Affiliates and local Chapters to bring about marijuana law reform in state and local government as well.
Other confirmed speakers include travel writer and PRS & NPR host Rick Steves and Erica Ziegler DHSS Missouri Marijuana Patient Services Director at the October 10th event.
Ms. Zeigler will discuss the present status of the implementation of Article 14 of the Missouri Constitution, Missouri’s medical marijuana law, and the rules and regulations promulgated by DHSS pursuant to Article 14.
Other scheduled speakers include Representative Kip Kendrick, and Representative Shamed Dogan.
Plus, we’ve added Representative Barbara Washington and Representative Wiley Price as speakers.
Since June of 2019, nearly 60,000 Missourians have been approved to consume cannabis as medical patients. Several thousand of these patients have also been authorized to cultivate cannabis and several thousand caregivers are likewise authorized to cultivate for patients.
It is anticipated that commercial medical marijuana dispensaries will begin to open across the state by October of this year. This will be the final step in the implementation of the measure passed by 66% of Missouri voters in November 2018. Missouri NORML and its chapters played a key role in placing Article 14 on the ballot and campaigning for its passage.
Missouri NORML is one of the most active of all NORML’s state Affiliates. Missouri NORML began to hold state conferences as early as 1975.
Missouri NORML chapter leaders are now engaged in discussions with industry representatives working on drafting another initiative to legalize adult-use and cultivation of cannabis in Missouri. NORML hopes to place that measure before Missouri voters in the November 2022 election.
The conference runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m It will be followed by an online streaming fundraising auction starting at 5 p.m immediately following the end of the conference. Proceeds of the auction will raise money for Missouri NORML and its efforts to repeal marijuana prohibition.