California Cannabis Conference

With the rallying cry "Yes We Cannabis!", the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) hopes to bring change to America's marijuana policies at their 38th annual national conference.   The poster for this year's event, scheduled for Sept 24-26 in San Francisco, is reminiscent of the poster art of the psychedelic sixties with an image  of President Obama as a young college freshman smoking a spliff.

The poster isn’t subtle and neither is the event's message. President Obama promised us change and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (or, NORML) clearly hopes that will include our country’s outdated marijuana laws and 72 years of prohibition.

Founded in 1970, NORML advocates the legalization of cannabis for medical, industrial, and personal use. Its annual conference provides education to hundreds of citizens eager to end draconian marijuana legislation.

Thursday September 24th will be a medical cannabis only day featuring panels and lectures on:

• The health effects of medical cannabis
• Examinations and discussions led by expert lawyers focusing on emerging medical cannabis distribution models
• Taxation
• Zoning and business license issues and criminal defense representation.

The agenda for September 25th and 26th will include panels on:

• The Zeitgeist of Legalization: Why and How Did This Happen?
• Pot Politics 2009 and Beyond
• Has Support For Legalization Reached The Tipping Point?
• What Impact Would Legalization/Regulation Have On Use Rates?
• Cannabis Law Reforms Missing Link: Law Enforcement
• Putting The Mexican Cartels Out Of Business
• Marijuana Legalization as a Local, State, and Federal Revenue Stream
• Pot, Parenting, and Legalization
• Cannabis and Athleticism

On the lighter side, there will be social events including a pre-registration happy hour, a High Times/NORML Activist Awards and Art Auction, and an Extravaganza Benefit Party where guests are encouraged to wear their wildest costumes. Sponsored by Harborside Health Center, a medical cannabis dispensary, the party will have an exotic garden of cannabis-themed delights, performances by Bay Area artists, a banquet of local and organic delectables, vibrant and vivid visual art, as well as a free hashish bar for medical-cannabis patients.

The conference is sure to be an educational and entertaining experience. To reserve a spot, register at norml.org.