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NORML of
Macomb County is a registered non-profit organization - we rely
on private donations to keep us going strong.
NORML of
Macomb County
PO Box 640
Eastpointe, MI 48021-0640
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"NORML of Macomb County"
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Principles of Responsible Use
When marijuana is enjoyed
responsibly, subjecting users
to harsh criminal and civil penalties
provides no public 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repealed to the extent that they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.
By adoption of this statement,
the NORML Board of Directors
has attempted to define "responsible
cannabis use."
- Adults Only
Cannabis consumption
is for adults only.
It is irresponsible
to provide cannabis
to children. 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.
As it is unrealistic
to demand lifetime
abstinence from
cars, contracts
and marriage, however,
it is unrealistic
to expect lifetime
abstinence from
all intoxicants,
including alcohol.
Rather, our expectation
and hope for young
people is that
they grow up to
be responsible
adults. Our obligation
to them is to demonstrate
what that means.
- No Driving
The responsible
cannabis consumer
does not operate
a motor vehicle
or other dangerous
machinery while
impaired by cannabis,
nor (like other
responsible citizens)
while impaired
by any other substance
or condition, including
some medicines
and fatigue. Although
cannabis is said
by most experts
to be safer than
alcohol and many
prescription drugs
with motorists,
responsible cannabis
consumers never
operate motor vehicles
in an impaired
condition. Public
safety demands
not only that impaired
drivers be taken
off the road, but
that objective
measures of impairment
be developed and
used, rather than
chemical testing.
- Set and Setting
The responsible
cannabis user will
carefully consider
his/her set and
setting, regulating
use accordingly.
"Set"
refers to the consumer's
values, attitudes,
experience and
personality, and
"setting"
means the consumer's
physical and social
circumstances.
The responsible
cannabis consumer
will be vigilant
as to the 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.
- Resist Abuse
Use of cannabis,
to the extent that
it impairs health,
personal development
or achievement,
is abuse, to 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. Wars
have been waged
in the name of
eradicating "drug
abuse", but
instead of focusing
on abuse, enforcement
measures have been
diluted by targeting
all drug use, wheather
abusive or not.
If marijuana abuse
is to be targeted,
it is essential
that clear standards
be developed to
identify it.
- Respect Rights of Others
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. No one
may violate the
rights of others,
and no substance
use excuses any
such violation.
Regardless of the
legal status of
cannabis, responsible
users will adhere
to emerging tobacco
smoking protocols
in public and private
places.
Adopted by the NORML Board
of Directors February 3, 1996 Washington, DC
posted: February 14, 2003
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Contact
Us:
mcnorml@norml.net
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MEETING:
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