NORML News - January 3, 2002

	*News Release*
1001 Connecticut Ave, NW - Ste 710 - Washington, DC 20036 Tel. 202.483.8751 - Fax 202.483.0057 - E-mail foundation@norml.org - Internet www.norml.org

January 3, 2002

Complete and Updated State-by-State Listing of Marijuana Laws in the United States

New Section of NORML's Website Devoted to State-Based Information

Washington, DC: The NORML Foundation announced today the publication of a complete and updated state-by-state listing of marijuana laws in the United States.

"With over 735,000 marijuana arrests in 2000 in the United States, that's another citizen arrested every 43 seconds on marijuana-related charges. Every citizen and visitor to the United States who enjoys marijuana, or needs medical marijuana, should download the NORML Foundation's comprehensive state-based information concerning marijuana," announced NORML Foundation Legal Director Donna Shea.

Also included with the state-by-state marijuana law listings, are:

- Information regarding mandatory penalties, enhancements and the penalties (prison time and fines) incurred based on the weight of marijuana;

- State-based marijuana-related news;

- State, as well as county-by-county, marijuana arrest data;

- Racial disparity in the enforcement of U.S. marijuana laws;

- Medical marijuana laws and helpful information for residents of the nine states that have passed medical marijuana laws;

- Information on the states that have passed industrial hemp legislation;

- Icons that denote the 12 states in the U.S. that have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana;

- Links to locate the closest NORML chapters;

- Links to over 200 criminal defense attorneys (NORML Legal Committee) nationwide who specialize in marijuana-related defenses;

- NORML marijuana crop report, which compares the value of state-grown marijuana to that of other top cash crops (e.g., comparing the values of domestically grown marijuana to apples, corn, wheat, etc.);

- Links to the 'Speak Out' section which enable citizens who oppose marijuana prohibition to instantly contact their state and federal elected officials (as well as their local media) about the need to reform America's misguided marijuana policy;

- An easy sign-up for NORML's free weekly e-zine, which allows NORML to email concerned citizens with specific state-based legislative alerts, information on state and local marijuana legalization rallies, NORML fundraising events, NORML chapter info, etc.

"Bottom line: the newly updated compilation of state marijuana laws and the accompanying reorganized state-based information section on NORML's website serve as an important information center for U.S. citizens, and foreign tourists, concerned with marijuana and marijuana policy. It's as close to a 'one-stop' shop for marijuana-related information as can be found on the Internet," said NORML Foundation Director Allen St. Pierre.

To access the newly revised state law section, please visit www.norml.org.

For more information on state-by-state marijuana laws please contact NORML Foundation's Legal Director Donna Shea or NORML Foundation Director Allen St. Pierre at 202-483-8751.

New Mexico To Consider Marijuana Decriminalization and Medical Use Bills

Santa Fe, NM: When the New Mexico legislature convenes on January 16 for a short, 30-day session, they will be considering two marijuana proposals left from the 2001 legislative session: a marijuana decriminalization bill and a medical use bill. Both bills, introduced at the request of Republican Governor Gary Johnson, were moving through the legislative process when time ran out in 2001. Governor Johnson has repeatedly called for an end to the criminalization of non-violent drug users, and for the legalization of marijuana.

Both measures were initially proposed by the New Mexico Drug Policy Advisory Group, a group of experts appointed by the governor to advise him on drug policy matters. A statewide poll taken in 2001 indicated that 65% of the voters in New Mexico favor the decriminalization of minor marijuana offenses, and 78% support medical use.

For more details, contact NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup, or visit a special web site set up by the Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation to monitor these and other New Mexico drug law reform proposals at www.improvenewmexico.org.

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