I love celebrating April 20th every year. It’s not just a cannabis holiday during which I consume large amounts of cannabis. It’s also a time to see friends I haven’t seen in awhile, and exchange e-mails and texts with others that I won’t see. But every year during all of the chaos and fun, I can’t help but think of all the people that can’t celebrate because of cannabis prohibition related reasons, whatever they may be. It could be from someone sitting prison, all the way to someone that can’t consume because they have to take a drug test for their job.
I don’t mean to be a downer, but the truth of the matter is cannabis prohibition sucks, and I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to fully celebrate as much as I would like as long as there are people out there suffering in one way or another due to prohibition. Fortunately, the momentum for reform has never been greater, and it continues to grow. Support for marijuana reform has never been higher in America, or on a global scale.
We need to keep that momentum going, which is why I’m encouraging everyone to consider donating to a cannabis reform organization this year in honor of the holiday. Cannabis reform is the reason for the season, so if you are able, please consider helping marijuana reform organizations continue to do their great work. Below are my favorite organizations. That’s not to take away from other organizations, because I support their work too. It’s just that these four organizations below have a special place in my heart:
Students for Sensible Drug Policy – This organization is the springboard for cannabis reform and industry leaders. Find me a quality cannabis reform organization and/or cannabis company, and I can virtually guarantee that there is a Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) alumni involved. If they are a super awesome organization or company, they will likely have multiple alumni. SSDPers are outstanding activists. You can donate to them at this link here.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition – Ex-members of law enforcement speaking out against cannabis prohibition is a VERY powerful thing, and that’s exactly what Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) does. Please support them so that they can continue their great work, and continue to spread awareness about the harms of cannabis prohibition. You can donate at this link here.
Marijuana Majority – Are you a part of the Marijuana Majority? If you aren’t, you should be! Marijuana Majority, led by Tom Angell, is EVERYWHERE in the media these days. Tom is always there to offer up a pointed opinion and/or comment, backed up by the truth. The mainstream media is full of cannabigotry, and having an organization like Marijuana Majority stepping up and spreading the truth is very important. You can donate at this link here.
Parents for Pot – Being a cannabis advocate as a parent is not easy. There is a lot of stigma, even if it’s in the name of a suffering child that benefits from the use of medical cannabis. I have a lot of Facebook friends that are a part of this group, and I strongly urge people to support their advocacy. You can donate at this link here.
