NORML now has semi-legal status in Georgia
April 21, 2009 at 2:29 pm by Scott Henry in NewsThe Georgia chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has gone and gotten itself incorporated. No, that’s not new slang for getting baked – the group filed paperwork with the Secretary
of State’s office and is now an official, dues-paying corporation, with a new website and everything.
Here’s an excerpt from the group’s press release:
Georgia has technically had a medical marijuana law on the books since 1980, but it only covers glaucoma and cancer. There is presently no active program distributing medical marijuana, even to those patients, at this time. NORML seeks to bring a medical marijuana program to life in Georgia and expand its reach to AIDS patients and others who find relief from illness by using marijuana.
Now, there was already a NORML chapter in Georgia, called Ga NORML, based at the University of Georgia. In fact, that group held a day-long music festival just yesterday — on 4/20, as coincidence would have it — in Athens to spread the “message of responsible marijuana use.” Righteous, dude.
However, the UGA crew has also gotten in trouble with university brass for printing up T-shirts with artwork showing Uga the bulldog smoking what may presumed to be cannabis. Something about a copyright violation, according to the Red and Black:
Megan Janasiewicz, program adviser of the Center for Student Organizations, said student organizations must receive approval to use the University’s copyright.
“It’s a quick process. It’s easy to do, but it’s essential,” she said.
Yes, I’m sure it would’ve been “easy” to get approval to show the school mascot toking on a fattie.
Anyway, what advantages does incorporation offer for the non-UGA group? Damned if I know, apart from distinguishing NORML of Georgia as “the only recognized affiliate NORML chapter in our state.” Now, them’s some braggin’ rights!
(Photo by DanielL Shirley)
April 21st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Incorporation can provide liability protection and also provide a financial framework for lobbying.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Incorporation will let us do things like sue the Composite Board of Medical Examiners to take marijuana off of the controlled substances list – things like suing blue cross blue shield to cover a pot smoker’s kidney transplant to save his life – and it may let us sponsor an Atlanta Pot festival – all without exposing well-meaning activists to personal liability. National NORML also requires it. The point is, we up and running and organized. Join us!
May 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Join the fight, get educated, get
involved. This site offers current news about the cannabis movement. We will soon have local info and interviews as we work our way to the steps of the capital. Medical Cannabis is real science, and the facts are here to prove it. The site for Georgia Voters to join the cause.
http://www.georgiacannabisco-op.com