Ever wonder what some things you can do to help legalize marijuana? Here’s a quick beginner’s guide.
What are some things you can do to help legalize marijuana?
The legalization of cannabis has come a long way in the last six years. Currently, there are nine states in which recreational marijuana use is legal.
These states have proven the benefits of legalization with money being made and jobs being created by this new industry. With the majority of Americans in support of the legalization of weed, the time has come for citizens to really push the movement.
There are things you can do to help legalize marijuana in your state. If you really believe in legalization, don’t sit back and watch, get up and help the movement move forward.
Brian Vicente, an American attorney and marijuana rights advocate, has spent the last 15 years working full-time on legalization, as well as passing medical laws. In 2014, Vicente spearheaded Colorado’s legalization measure and c0-directed the successful campaign, “Yes on 64”, which lead to the legalization of recreational weed in the state.
Since then, Vicente has been receiving a ton of interest in the Colorado model.
“I spent a lot of time consulting with governments in Uruguay to governments in Canada, as well as across our country, just trying to advise either campaigns or elected officials on how they can alter their marijuana laws to get rid of prohibition,” Vicente said.
According to Vicente, there are numerous ways citizens can help in the legalization of marijuana. With his help, here are seven things you can do to help legalize marijuana.
1. Educate Yourself.
A great way to start your journey in learning the things you can do to help legalize marijuana is to educate yourself on the topic. Yes, you may want marijuana to be legalized because it helps you unwind and de-stress. But you must think of the bigger picture.
“Learning to message this issue in a way that’s professional, educated and will reach the largest amount of the public is smart to do,” said Vicente.
Start by researching the background on why marijuana became illegalin the first place and why it is still standing that way in some states as of today.
In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act was introduced, which banned the use and sales of cannabis. The laws on cannabis remained this way up until 1971 when Nixon signed the Controlled Substance Act.
Besides the history of the laws behind cannabis use, it is smart to also understand the current marijuana prohibition happening in states in which cannabis is not legalized.
Try to understand the reasoning behind the government’s intolerance towards cannabis, then try to challenge their beliefs with strong arguments that will grab their attention.
“Think about the message, it’s perhaps a better use of law enforcement resources or taxing this product and using it for education. That might just be a stronger message to convince elected officials or members of the public than talking about the spiritual uses of marijuana,” Vicente said.
After educating yourself on the prohibition, figure out how you can start by getting the law changed in your state. Some states offer initiatives or referendums by voters. Others require you to go through the Legislature.
2. Go Online
According to Vicente, the best way to help from the comfort of your own home is to plug into the advocacy organizations that are driving the change. Going online turns out to be one of the things you can do to help legalize marijuana.
“Whether it’s the Marijuana Policy Project, Americans for Safe Access, or Drug Policy Alliance, there’s a lot of organizations, non-profits that are doing really good work,” Vicente mentioned.
“If you go to their websites, there are different ways to volunteer, whether that’s phone banking, joining online petitions or donating, whatever it is.”
By visiting these websites, you will educate yourself more on the subject and really start to understand what you can do to help in the legalization of marijuana.
Donating can help the case as well.
By donating, you are helping these non-profits fund work to promote new drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights.
3. Meet Other Activists in Your Area
An army of voices can be more effective than one. It is essential to start a conversation with those who have the same goal as yourself.
Local advocacy groups exist in pretty much every state. Exchange your ideas, information, and experience with those who have similar views on the topic.
Some cannabis policy reform groups can be found in or near your community. Organizations, such as The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana laws (NORML), have many local chapters throughout the United States.
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Show up to activist events and communicate, it is the perfect place to begin networking. Talking with other advocates will allow you to view the fight for legalization from someone else’s position.
It’s smart to view the fight for legalization as a group crusade rather than a solo battle.
4. Media Impact
After reaching out and communicating with other local activists, you must bring your message across to the community as a whole. You will not see a positive change without receiving support from those living in the state. What better way to get a message out there than to gain attention from the mass media?
“During our campaign, we would really attempt to impact the media and have a bit of a shock value,” Vincente said recalling the battle for the legalization of weed in Colorado.
Vicente remembers chasing their mayor around in a chicken suit because “he was a chicken and he was locking people up for marijuana.”
This was one of the stunts that Vicente and the rest of their campaigners implemented. It may sound a bit ridiculous, but these stunts were what got them in the papers.
According to Vicente, once you get in the news you start to influence people and attract them to your cause.
Once you’ve gained attraction from the media, it is important to discuss the benefits of marijuana legalization in order to educate the community on your stance and help get them behind it.
5. Get in Contact with Local Representatives and Politicians
This is a crucial step in our seven things you can do to help legalize marijuana. By contacting representatives, you are taking your actions in the movement to the next level. A call or email can potentially make a difference.
Try tracking them down or meeting them in person as well. A conversation can go a long way. You can locate your local representatives by using this search engine here.
Politicians who support the cause can be great allies. They already have an established public voice, if you can convince them to share their support it may go a long way in connecting with your community. You can find local representatives with positive stances on cannabis through the NORML website.
The Drug Policy Alliance has also created a page in which they walk through the appropriate way to contact elected officials. These ways include timing and how to clearly state what action you are wanting your legislator to take.
It also contains a do’s and don’t’s list on how to talk to Congressperson.
You may believe that some politicians are stubbornly against legalization and a waste of your time. But do not assume this.
They may not have been properly educated on the subject, or maybe they haven’t heard from those who truly care. One conversation could possibly change someone’s perspective.
6. Talk to Those Around You
It’s easier for someone to warm up to a certain idea if they know someone close to them supports it.
Open up about your cannabis use to those around you and start voicing your opinions. Educating the people who are around you can go a long way with helping the legalization of marijuana.
It may be a small initiative, but even changing one person’s view on the subject can be important.
Mentioning your position on legalization online may help in the process of opening up to those around you in person.
Even sharing something on your Facebook page may help your friends and family warm up to the idea of you displaying yourself as an advocate of the issue.
7. Vote!
Maybe the most simple and important way of showing your support is by exercising your right to vote.
If your state has marijuana reform ballots, then you especially must vote. As more voters check off “yes”, the likelihood of marijuana becoming legal in your state rises.
If your state does not have reform ballots, then focus on voting for cannabis-friendly legislators. Research your states and city politicians to find out what their stance on marijuana is.
Politicians are more open to conversations regarding these issues when they want your vote, so don’t be afraid to go straight to the source when finding out the correct views of your legislators.
Don’t underestimate how much politicians need you.
7 Things you can do to help legalize marijuana
As you now know, there are many things you can do to help legalize marijuana. Some of which you can even start doing today.
It is important to voice your opinions and get behind the movement if you truly believe in it. With an increasing number of voices behind the movement, states representatives will be forced to listen.
According to Vicente, “everyone can do something, so it’s important to just spend the little free time that you have to participate in some advocacy, it goes a long way.
