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NORML E-Zine
Volume 8
Issue 1
January 6, 2005

The NORML E-Zine is a free weekly compilation of major news items
regarding marijuana policy. Text of archived stories is available on
NORML's website at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3442

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TOP STORIES

Today's topics:

* Allen St. Pierre Assumes Helm As New NORML Executive Director
* Save The Date: NORML Announces 2005 National Conference In San Francisco

_____________________________________________________________
Allen St. Pierre Assumes Helm As New NORML Executive Director
    Washington, DC:  Allen St. Pierre officially took over this week as
Executive Director of NORML, replacing NORML founder Keith Stroup, who
headed the organization from 1970 to 1979, and again from 1995 to 2004.
Stroup, 61, had announced last spring that he would be stepping down as
head of NORML at the end of the year.  He will remain on the NORML staff
on a part time basis.
    "Allen St. Pierre was the board's first, and only, choice to replace
NORML's founder R. Keith Stroup," said Stephen Dillon, chairman of NORML's
Board of Directors.
    St. Pierre has served with the NORML organization since 1991, and was
appointed Executive Director of the NORML Foundation in 1997.
    "Frankly speaking, there simply would be no NORML today without
Allen's presence and dedication to the organization and the marijuana law
reform movement," Dillon said.  "Allen's forgotten more about marijuana
and marijuana policy than most scholars will ever know about the subject
matter. Allen has traveled the United States, Canada and Europe
effectively and passionately advocating for marijuana law reform and has
faithfully and professionally represented NORML, marijuana consumers and
marijuana law reform, over 4,000 times in the major media since 1991."
    Stroup added: "Allen has been with NORML for 14 years, serving as the
number two person for much of that time.  He is a dedicated, hard working,
bright and committed individual who has earned the right to take his turn
at the helm. I have depended on Allen for much of the work we have
accomplished during my second term at NORML, and I am confident his energy
and new ideas will provide a needed boost to the organization."
    St. Pierre began his tenure as Executive Director by calling on
feedback from NORML's membership, and laying out plans to broaden the
organization's base by reaching out to ethnic minorities
disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition, and by initiating a
series of small, regional advertising campaigns.
    "Input from NORML's supporters is crucial for the national office's
staff, NORML's 115 chapters, the 350 lawyers who comprise NORML's National
Legal Committee and me to effectively represent the interests of cannabis
consumers and the general public," St. Pierre said.  He added that the
organization is releasing soon a series of comprehensive reports analyzing
the social and economic ramifications of marijuana law enforcement in all
of the counties in all 50 states.
            For more information or to schedule a media interview, please
contact:  media@norml.org
    
________________________________________________________________________
Save The Date: NORML Announces 2005 National Conference In San Francisco
    Washington, DC:  NORML is pleased to announce that the 2005 National
NORML Conference will take place March 31-April 2 at the Cathedral Hill
Hotel in downtown San Francisco.
    Featured speakers at this year's event will include new NORML
Executive Director Allen St. Pierre, best selling travel author,
television host and NORML Advisory Board member Rick Steves, Drug Policy
Alliance Executive Director Ethan Nadelmann; as well as physicians, nurses
and healthcare specialists, medical cannabis patients and activists, legal
experts, hemp industry leaders, High Times Magazine's editors, cultivation
experts, authors, members of NORML's board of directors and many others.
    According to NORML's new executive director Allen St. Pierre, "This
year's conference marks NORML's return to the Bay area, which was host to
NORML's highly successful 2002 and 2003 annual gatherings, and will offer
attendees a unique opportunity to network with other marijuana law
reformers."
    "This year's reduced hotel room rate, coupled with free parking for
hotel patrons in one of the most 'cannabis-friendly' cities in America
sounds like a prescription to me for fun and education. If a person is
serious about changing America's misguided cannabis laws, the annual NORML
conference is the gathering place for medical cannabis patients, cannabis
consumers and concerned citizens."
    Lodging at the Cathedral Hill Hotel for conference attendees is
available at a specially reduced rate by calling 1-800-622-0855 or by
visiting www.cathedralhillhotel.com and referring to the code 'NORML'.
    Complete conference information - including a full listing of
speakers, panel discussions, and after-hour events - will be available
shortly on the NORML website.


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NORML Media Watch
NORML was featured prominently in several media outlets this week,
including The Washington Post, Fortune Magazine, and The Ledger.  To read
these articles or about other NORML media appearances, check out "NORML in
the Media" at:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5481

Sign up for NORML's monthly pledge program today!
https://secure.norml.org/join/pledge.html
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5916
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To live outside the law, you must be honest... 
(Absolutely Sweet Marie - Blonde on Blonde - 1966)