Tuesday Night Pot-Line Call #15

Our 15th conference call will be held on Tuesday, November 26th from 7:30PM – 8:30PM. Dial-in number (US): (605) 313-5635 Access code: 659303# International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/kris387 Online meeting ID: kris387 Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/

2020 Maryland General Assembly Lobby Day Planning Call #1 Co-Hosted with Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition (MCPC)

AGENDA

1. Lobby Day: February 2020
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
a. Bills having chance of passing – i.e., increase civil penalty threshold from 10g to 113.4g (4 oz)
b. Bills that won’t pass

2. Maryland Cannabis Law and Policy Summit
Description: On the Monday before Lobby Day, have an all day cannabis law and policy conference. 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon = review bills (we anticipate 9-12 bills total, some will have a chance to pass, some won’t). Legislators will speak for their bills, attendees can ask questions about the bills. 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM = lobby day training. Roll play, what to expect on lobby day, team up with other people from your same legislative district to strategize, help profile legislators to make civic engagement more effective, etc. Night reception/fundraiser/party with keynote speakers (a). Marilyn Mosby to convey Vanguard Award, and (b). Major Neal Franklin, LEAP re: Law Enforcement and need to change enforcement level.

3. Civil Disobedience for Home Grow Rights?

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

Conference Call #8

Our 8th conference call will be held on Tuesday, August 20th from 7:30PM – 8:30PM. Dial-in number (US): (605) 313-5635 Access code: 659303# International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/kris387 Online meeting ID: kris387 Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/kris387
If you have agenda item suggestions please email them to kris@mdmj.org.


Tonight’s agenda will be focused on yesterday’s hearing with the Maryland General Assembly Marijuana Legalization Work Group, as well as the new announcement that the smell of cannabis is no longer a reason to search someone anymore. There has been much controversy surrounding this issue and would like to hear everyone’s thoughts on the new updates going on.

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

Conference Call #5

Great call last week! Join us for the next call for updates and info. You’ll have an opportunity to share your ideas To add items to the agenda, email kris@mdmj.org before the call. The agenda will be posted the afternoon of the call.

Our fourth conference call will be held on Tuesday July 16th from 7:30PM – 8:30PM.
Dial-in number (US): (605) 313-5635
Access code: 659303#
International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/kris387
Online meeting ID: kris387
Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/kris387

MDMJ Conference Call #4

Our last conference call was very productive and we are on track to legalizing cannabis in Maryland!

Join us for the next call for updates and info. You’ll have an opportunity to share your ideas.

Our fourth conference call will be held on Tuesday July 9th from 7:30PM – 8:30PM. Dial-in number (US): (605) 313-5635 Access code: 659303# International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/kris387 Online meeting ID: kris387 Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/kris387

AGENDA

Instructions – Upon joining the conference call, we will ask that you put your phone on mute to eliminate background noise so that the person speaking can be heard by everyone on the call and there are no interruptions.

Introductions – 10 second elevator speech. Name, organization, why you’re here.

Meeting location update.

Flyers for Baltimore meeting.

Fundraising.

Meeting with County Executive Marc Elrich.

Additions to talking points.

Hearing tomorrow; Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need for Reform.

Q&A/Suggestions/Feedback/Comments.

MDMJ Planning Meeting #2


Join MDMJ for our 2nd planning meeting of 2019!

When: July 30th, 2019 from 7:00PM – 8:30PM

Where: We’ve CHANGED the meeting location due to the growing number of attendance! The meeting has been moved to Druid Hill Park, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Booking a pavilion is a first come, first serve deal, so we will do our best to snag the spot at the Columbus Pavilion on Mansion House Drive. Take a right at the fork in the road and the pavilion is directly on your right.

Feel free to bring your own refreshments, lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and umbrellas to block the sun. PLEASE SHARE THIS EVENT WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND IN YOUR GROUPS TO SPREAD THE WORD! It really helps.

Be on the look out for the cannabis flags! That’s where you’ll find us.

Agenda

7:00 – 7:15PM – Check-In and introductions.

7:15 – 7:25PM – Updates since last meeting.

7:25 – 7:35PM – Legislative Updates.

7:35 – 7:45PM – Lobby session efforts.

7:45 – 8:00PM – Go over talking points.

8:00 – 8:05PM – Conference call updates.

8:05 – 8:10PM – Recruiting efforts.

8:10 – 8:15PM – Ideas for next meeting location/agenda.

8:15 – 8:25PM – Questions, feedback, suggestions.

8:25 – 8:30PM – Closing.

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

The Monday Jive (June) Baltimore, MD 6/24/19 hosted by The Heady Coalition with Henni TheTrue Stoner and friends.

LIVE Stream: Marijuana Legalization Task Force!

Maryland NORML and MDMJ 2018 invite you to witness history – the Maryland General Assembly’s “Marijuana Legalization Task Force” (#MDMLTF) will hold their first post-session meeting at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. The event is not designed as a public comment period, but like most legislative deliberations the event is public. We will broadcast the #MDGA20’s #MDMLTF LIVE on Facebook! Please RSVP!

The first cannabis legalization workgroup meeting has been schedule for Tuesday, June 25! Details: 

When: Tuesday, June 25 1:00PM

Where: Joint Hearing Room, Department of Legislative Services.

90 State Circle Annapolis, Maryland.

Agenda: 

  1. Briefing from the Network for Public Health Law-Eastern Region on federal and State criminalization of marijuana 
  2. Briefing from the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission on the state’s medical cannabis program

The meeting is open to the public, and there will also be a live stream of the meeting on the state’s website

MDMJ Weekly Conference Call #2

During our first conference call we discussed strategies, recruitment, and volunteer opportunities.


For those who would like to attend the quarterly commission meeting in Annapolis, we encourage you to come sit in and listen. The meeting will take place June 27th, 2019 at 2:00PM at the Joint Hearing Room Department of Legislative Services Building 90 State Circle, 1st Floor Annapolis, MD 21401.

Updates on the 1st conference call:
MDMJ will be holding 4 consecutive lobby days starting January 8, 2020 leading up to the end of the legislative session in April.. We will use this time to prepare, recruit, train, and hold phone banking/letter writing campaigns. We plan to be prepared come January so we have a lot of work to do.


If you’d like to volunteer, please fill out the form below.


Our second conference call will be held on Tuesday June 18th from 7:30PM – 8:30PM.
Dial-in number (US): (605) 313-5635 Access code: 659303# International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/kris387 Online meeting ID: kris387 Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/kris387

Agenda
Instructions – Upon joining the conference call, we will ask that you put your phone on mute to eliminate background noise so that the person speaking can be heard by everyone on the call and there are no interruptions.
Introductions – Say who you are and what organization you’re with if applicable.
Updates on volunteer efforts (talking points and thank you letters)
Volunteer Collaboration Opportunities
Discuss talking points
Updates on recruiting efforts
Q&A/Suggestions/Feedback/Comments

MDMJ Conference Call

High friends!!!

The meeting we held in Bethesda last month was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who was able to attend. At the meeting we discussed organizing a lobby day in Annapolis. With a bit of research and a handful of phone calls, our plan is to hold several meetings, conference calls and training sessions up until January 8th 2020, when the new session begins. This gives us plenty of time to prepare, as well as to organize a letter writing campaign to send your delegates expressing why it is important to fully legalize. A spreadsheet has been generated with a list of every delegate in Maryland who did NOT co-sponsor any marijuana legalization legislation last session. Out of 141 Delegates throughout every district in the state, only 30 delegates have either sponsored or co-sponsored legalization bills. It is also very interesting to discover the handfuls of delegates who are part of the Marijuana Legalization Work Group but did not co-sponsor any cannabis legalization bills put through last session by delegates Moon and Luedtke. These are the people we plan to meet with. We must get them on board with our progressive agenda. Without co-sponsors, these bills will go nowhere and cannabis will continue to be illegal to those who need it.

Have you ever shared with your friends or family how cannabis has helped you? Well, we also need you to express your stories to the law makers that represent you. There is no wrong way to tell your story, but we will be holding training sessions so that everyone feels confident and prepared. If you’ve ever felt compelled to get more involved in your community, then now is the time! Legalization is upon us, and it is up to us to win the fight against prohibition.

Our first conference call will be held on Tuesday June 11th from 7:30PM – 8:30PM.

Dial-in number (US): (605) 313-5635
Access code: 659303#
International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/kris387
Online meeting ID: kris387
Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/kris387

Agenda

Instructions – Upon joining the conference call, we will ask that you put your phone on mute to eliminate background noise so that the person speaking can be heard by everyone on the call and there are no interruptions.

Introductions – Say who you are and what organization you’re with if applicable.

Updates on lobby day efforts – slight changes in dates and strategies.

Volunteer Opportunities – By clicking the link, it will direct you to our Google Forms volunteer sign up sheet. In addition to attending lobby day in Annapolis in January, if you are able to volunteer your time for prep and follow up assignments, we need you!

Questions and comments about volunteering opportunities

Recruiting

End of meeting; reminder for next weeks conference call.

If you are subscribed to MDMJ’s email list, you have been emailed the conference call invitation, so please check your inbox

Please RSVP for this event on Facebook

MDMJ May Meeting

MDMJ is coming to a district near YOU! Since Maryland is such a huge state, we will be having meetings throughout the state at least once a month. So let us know where you’d like to see us come next!



Looking to become more involved in your community? Passionate about cannabis being legalized in Maryland? Then this meeting is for you! We realize that with Maryland being such a big state, we need to take the movement to YOU! MDMJ will be holding meetings throughout the state so that everyone who is passionate about this issue, has the opportunity to become an important member in this community organization. Our mission is to LEGALIZE, NORMALIZE, and fight for FREEDOM! Over the last month, several members of DCMJ, MDMJ, and VAMJ have been lobbying on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for better protections for the consumers. For more information on how these meetings for new legislation went, check out MDMJ on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. We are so excited to see some new faces and learn what it is that matters most to you with cannabis legalization. This is a community effort so not only is being a voice encouraged, but it is NEEDED! Let’s take back our rights to grow our own cannabis!

When: Thursday, May 30th, 2019 from 7:00PM – 8:30PM



Where: 4844 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Image may contain: table, outdoor and indoor
Meet us on the patio!

Agenda

7:00PM – 7:05PM – Introduction; Tell Us Who You Are!

7:05PM – 7:30PM –
Exercise – Tell Us Why You’re Here

7:30PM – 7:50PM –
Update on AJ Dawson; Sentenced to 60 Days in Wicomico Jail

7:50PM – 8:10PM –
Congressional Seed In – What We Did, Why We Did It, And What We’re Going To Do Next

8:10PM – 8:25PM –
Home Cultivation Rights; Beating The Monopoly

8:25PM – 8:30PM – Closing Statements

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK!

50 ft. joint featured at the National Cannabis Festival 2019. Made by DCMJ member and local DC artist Cesar Maxit. Federal Legalization Now! Congress Pass The Joint!

Congressional Seed-In

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 8, 2018
CONTACT:
ADAM EIDINGER (202)744-2671
Adam@DCMJ.org

“Congressional Seed-In” Announced for April 2, 2019

Citizens to Lawfully Give Viable Cannabis Seeds to Members of Congress to Demand Federal Legislation to Grow Cannabis At Home

No Current Legislation in Congress Explicitly Legalizes Home Cultivation as Corporate Lobby Grab Leaves Many Americans No Way Grow

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, cannabis reform advocates from DC Marijuana Justice (“DCMJ”), Maryland Marijuana Justice (“MDMJ”), and Virginia Marijuana Justice (“VAMJ”) will descend on Capitol Hill to lawfully give away cannabis seeds to members of Congress and their staff, 21 years of age and older. The action is to call for cannabis consumer-friendly legislation that permits adults to grow cannabis in the comfort and privacy of their homes & backyards.

“As full legalization & descheduling of cannabis approaches cannabis consumers & medical patients must be able to travel throughout the United States without fear of arrest, detainment, or harassment,” says Dawn Lee-Carty, Founder of Speak Life, a mom and founder of Speak Life, an organization dedicated to educating parents and legislators on the benefits of cannabis. Ms. Lee-Carty came to advocate the use of CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical compound found in cannabis, and THC after pharmaceuticals failed to adequately treat her epileptic 11 year old daughter. Due to the federal prohibitions on cannabis, Ms. Lee-Carty cannot travel with her daughters medicine.

After voters in the District of Columbia approved Initiative 71 in November 2014 and Congress approved the law in February 2015, all adults aged 21 years of age or older can legally grow & possess small amounts cannabis in the District of Columbia. With the annual spring planting taking place after the last frost in late April, the “Congressional Seed-In” aims to help members of Congress and their staff lawfully start their cannabis gardens in the District of Columbia. Outdoor cannabis requires cannabis to be grown in cycle with the seasons, so a timely spring planting is integral to the success of the crop. However, not every American is afforded the right to grow their own cannabis. Instead many Americans are forced to buy their cannabis from dispensaries, which costs as much as 10 times more than home grown cannabis.

“The only legislation we see in the 116th Congress moving is backed by lobbyists to deal with business interests,” says Adam Eidinger, Proposer of Initiative 71 . “We’re going up to the Hill to encourage members of Congress and their staff that they represent more cannabis consumers than cannabis businesses. We want to legally grow cannabis as a basic right and this is frankly more important to me than access to banks or tax reform for huge marijuana businesses,” adds Edinger.

WHO: Members of DCMJ, MDMJ and VAMJ, expert growers, and cannabis reform activists
WHAT: “Congressional Seed-In” – A Seed Giveaway for members of Congress and their staff
WHEN: April 2, 2019, 11:00 am until 4:20 pm – Ending Rally Near Capitol Steps on East side
WHERE: All Congressional Offices in Washington, DC
WHY: Citizens demand meaningful legislation that fully ends prohibition cannabis cultivation for every adult and allows the movement of cannabis between all States.

“I don’t want cannabis grown using nuclear or coal power. I want it grown using natural sunlight. The current system of using costly warehouses to grow cannabis plants under synthetic light using synthetic chemicals is bad for consumers and bad for the environment. There is a better way,” says Ms. Lee-Carty, who currently grows using LED technology, but would prefer to grow her daughter’s cannabis outdoors..

“The age of utilizing expensive warehouses to grow cannabis is a relic of prohibition and DCMJ & MDMJ believe that cannabis should return to the fields from which it was formerly grown,” says MDMJ co-founder Kris Furnish. “Congress and state leaders have been standing in the way of cannabis consumer friendly reform, while poll after poll show that the American public fully supports the full legalization of cannabis, including home grow.

ABOUT DCMJ
Since its founding in 2013, DCMJ has lead the nation in creative and high-profile cannabis reform activism. After introducing and passing ballot initiative 71, which legalized the possession and cultivation of cannabis in the District of Columbia, DCMJ organized two large seed giveaways that provided all adults the means to grow cannabis for themselves. Since then DCMJ has deployed giant 51’ inflatable joints outside the White House, the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Times Square in New York City, the 2016 Presidential Debates, and Boston’s Freedom Rally, as well as distributing over 10,000 joints of District of Columbia home grown cannabis at the Inauguration of President Donald Trump to most recently, attempting to distribute 1,227 joints at the congressional “Joint Session” in 2017, where U.S. Capitol Police unlawfully arrested seven DCMJ activists. All charges were dropped the following day. The “Congressional Seed-In” is DCMJ’s fourth annual “Reschedule 4/20,” day of action to highlight the need for meaningful cannabis reform legislation in the United States. In 2018 and 2019, aligned organizations MDMJ & VAMJ were formed to advocate for cannabis reform in Maryland and Virginia.

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CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK!