The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) recently announced that music legend and avid cannabis enthusiast David Crosby of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, will be joining their ranks as part of its advisory board. The now 77 year old Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist has sold millions of albums throughout his long career and has had the honor of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame two times as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
With his appointment Crosby joins other notable cannabis legalization advocates like fellow music legend Willie Nelson, Mark Stepnoski formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, Harvard Professor Emeritus Lester Grinspoon, and film producer Ann Druyan. Crosby, who has had a long history with cannabis and numerous other substances, was quoted as saying: “I’d like cannabis to be legal everywhere. I knew people who were in jail for years over a couple of joints and it’s just not right. I do feel a responsibility to stick up for people who have been stuck in jail for it unfairly, and that is why I’m partnering with NORML to lend my name and talents to help end our multi-decade failure that is prohibition. Bottom line is: It should be legal and people shouldn’t be going to jail for it, and I want to reinforce that to the degree that I can…People are looking at the success in places like Colorado and Oregon. The places that have done it are winning and they will have money for schools, roads, and hospitals and are no longer arresting otherwise respectable adults for consuming marijuana. I’m proud to join the NORML Advisory Board to help bring this sensible policy to the entire country.” with regards to joining the ranks of the cannabis legalization advocacy group.
Erik Altieri, NORML’s Executive Director, is excited about Crosby working with his organization stating that: “We are absolutely ecstatic that David wants to lend his considerable talents and celebrity to help advance the cause of marijuana law reform. While we have made great progress in ending our country’s failed prohibition, with nine states plus the District of Columbia legalizing the adult use of marijuana and 31 states allowing for medical access, there is still much work to be done. Despite all our gains, over 650,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana-related offenses last year. Together with David, we will continue to fight for legalization across the country. We will end this disastrous war on marijuana consumers that has gone on for far too many decades and ruined far too many lives.” NORML‘s main objective is top change the hearts and minds of the public so that reasonable policies are put in place that would allow for legal adult use of cannabis and related products. With folks like Crosby and Nelson on board, they are definitely headed in the right direction.
What are your thoughts on David Crosby joining NORML’s advisory board? Do you believe that his fame and influence will help further the organization’s goal of cannabis legalization?
