Activism, Athletics and Agriculture at the 2009 NORML Conference

September 24-26, San Francisco, CA -- Many, many marijuana activists left their hearts in San Francisco this weekend, especially those of us destined to return to states decidedly less free and rational than California when it comes to cannabis. After three days of inspiring speeches and informative panels, followed by three nights of epic merrymaking, the highly optimistic attendees at this year’s annual national NORML Convention will hopefully head home with a firm resolve to work hard and continue the amazing momentum of the marijuana movement this year.

With legalization all over the news, and the economy driving a serious debate about the benefits of “green jobs” and increased tax revenue, many notable speakers identified this moment as a potential “tipping point,” including PBS travel host Rick Steves, Marijuana Reconsidered author and Harvard professor Lester Grinspoon, and, fittingly, Tom Ammiano, the California State Assemblyman whose “tax and regulate” legalization bill, introduced last spring, strongly contributed to the brushfire of grassroots activism that’s still growing across the country.

In the wake of Michael Phelps’ bong smoking photo, one of the most interesting panels of the weekend brought together former NFL All-Pro lineman Mark Stepnoski, Mixed Martial Arts champion Toby Grear, and professional wrestler Rob Van Dam for a discussion of “Cannabis and Athleticism.” While all of the panelists reported that marijuana helped them in their sports careers, whether as a way to relax after competition or as an effective, safe pain reliever – only Van Dam described toking up right before entering the ring.

Naturally, the conference also featured top marijuana activists from across the country, including NORML founder Keith Stroup, NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre, Drug Policy Alliance founder and Executive Director Ethan Nadelmann, former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper, NORML’s Daily Audio Stash host Russ Belville, Mason Tvert, Paul Armentano and Steve Fox, authors of Marijuana is Safer, and Oaksterdam proprietor Richard Lee, whose campaign for “The Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010” may have inspired Dr. Grinspoon’s suggestion of changing the name of NORML to the National Organization for the Repeal of Marijuana Laws.

Agriculturally minded attendees, meanwhile, filled the room for HIGH TIMES Senior Cultivation Editor Danny Danko’s presentation: “More Root, More Fruit: Growing Medical Marijuana in the Era of Plant Limits.” Fresh off an amazing tour of Northern California, Danko shared some of his jaw-dropping photos from that trip and ably addressed the concerns of medical marijuana growers seeking big yields while following the law. Danko also took questions on all aspects of cultivation and participated in a discussion on “vegaponic” growing techniques with former HIGH TIMES cultivation reporter and current medical marijuana consultant Kyle Kushman.

HIGH TIMES also received an award from NORML named after longtime board member Hunter S. Thompson, in recognition of the magazine's positive portrayal of marijuana in the media and 35 years of staunch support for NORML. HIGH TIMES "head honcho" Michael Kennedy accepted the award on behalf of the entire staff with a rousing, inspiring speech in favor of true "grassroots" activism.

Finally, with so much good news for the cannabis community “floating in the air,” leave it to the kind folks at the Harborside Health Center to outdo themselves once again with a closing night party for the ages. The self-dubbed “Extravaganja” allowed old and new friends to put their heads together one last time before the smoke cleared for another year. Perhaps before too long we’ll have a chance to look forward to the first annual conference of the National Organization That Repealed Marijuana Laws!