by NORML
Feb 29, 1995
February 29, 1995, Washington D.C.: The National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws, the nation's oldest and largest interest group
dedicated solely to marijuana law reform, has adopted a set of
Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use. NORML maintains that when
marijuana is enjoyed responsibly, subjecting users to harsh
criminal and civil penalties
provides no public health benefit and causes terrible injustices. For
reasons of public safety, public health, economics, and justice, the
prohibition laws should be repealed to the extent that they criminalize
responsible marijuana use. The key points to the Principles of
Responsible Use are as follows:
- Cannabis consumption is for adults only. Many things and activities
are suitable for young people, but others absolutely are not. Children
do not drive cars, enter into contracts or marry, and they must not use
drugs.
- The responsible cannabis user does not operate a motor vehicle
or other dangerous machinery impaired by cannabis. Although cannabis is
said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription
drugs with motorists, public safety demands that impaired drivers be
taken off the road and that objective measures of impairment be
developed and used, rather than chemical testing.
- The responsible cannabis user will carefully consider his/her
setting and regulate use accordingly. The responsible cannabis consumer
will be vigilant as to conditions -- time, place, mood, etc. -- and
does not hesitate to say "no" when those conditions are not conducive to
a safe, pleasant and/or
productive experience.
- Use of cannabis, to the extent that it impairs health, personal
development or achievement, is abuse and should be resisted by
responsible cannabis users. Abuse means harm. Some cannabis use is
harmful; most is not. That which is harmful should be discouraged; that
which is not need not be.
- The responsible cannabis user does not violate the rights of
others, observes accepted standards of courtesy and public propriety,
and respects the preferences of those who wish to avoid cannabis
entirely. Regardless of the legal status of cannabis, responsible users
will adhere to emerging tobacco smoking protocols in public and private
places.
For more information on the Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use, please contact
Allen St. Pierre of NORML @
(202)483-5500.
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