The following is a message from Michigan NORML Executive Director, Matthew Abel (pictured above). Mr. Abel is currently participating in the creation of a petition to circulate in Michigan with the goal of having the adult use of marijuana added to the November 2018 ballot. He is also a criminal defense attorney and is on the Boards of several other organizations, including the MILegalize2018 organization. His letter was sent near Midnight on January 17, 2017.
He writes:
MINORML friends;
I am happy to be participating as a member of a committee of people from pro-legalization organizations working together to create language for a new statewide ballot initiative. (We still are fighting in the courts about the last one).
There has been concern expressed that MINORML was not one of the participating organizations listed on an earlier draft of the committee makeup. That may have been true, but it was a draft and all parties now acknowledge that I am there as a representative of MINORML.
While I serve on the boards of at least four other organizations, I am Executive Director only of one. Michigan NORML is my responsibility. A burden accompanies the position, as the law is unjust and there always is too much to do and never enough time.
Both the Marijuana Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and Milegalize nominated me to participate in the drafting process. I appreciate their confidence. It is important that the language be stated clearly, and that numerous social issues be properly addressed.
NORML, though, is about legalization. NORML represents the pot smokers, and consumers of edibles, oils, concentrates and topical ointments. We want legalization now, and we want products available which compete in quality and price. We want this legislation to be well-designed to incentivize and encourage legal activity, and to reduce unnecessary criminality in society. We need to stop criminalizing people for consuming cannabis and bring the law in line with societal mores.
I will specifically request that when the committee releases a list of participants, that my affiliation be listed first as Executive Director of MINORML, and not necessarily as Senior Partner of Cannabis Counsel, Board member of MILEGALIZE, State Bar of Michigan Marijuana Law Section, National Cannabis Bar Association, or the ACLU of Michigan Legal Committee (although I do currently serve on each of those boards).
I want to thank all of you for your continuing support. I hope that I can live up to your expectations in my work and my public appearances. I’m looking forward to working with the drafting committee, and I hope you are all as excited as I am about the prospect of a vote for legalization in Michigan in 2018!
Matthew Abel
Executive Director, Michigan NORML
Editorial disclosure: Rick Thompson is on the Boards of Directors of both MINORML and MILegalize, which are mentioned in this article. ~RT