As we inch closer to the summer months, the battle to legalize marijuana in more states this year is truly heating up. Not only is it probable that there will be more federal hearings on marijuana-related legislation, but states across this country will be voting on legalization and medical marijuana ballot measures this fall.

Maryland has already approved a legalization ballot measure that will be before state voters in November, and it is very likely that states such as South Dakota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Arkansas may be joining them.

We have a real opportunity to bring cannabis freedom to millions more Americans this year, but only if we have the resources, we need to win the hearts and minds of voters and lawmakers alike.

To that end, we need to ramp up our educational outreach and prepare for strong get-out-the-vote campaigns. We know that when we take our message to the public, we win. We just need the necessary resources to adequately fund that outreach.

NORML is the only truly grassroots pro-legalization organization that works only to represent cannabis consumers, not special interests. That’s why we come to you so often for your support. It is thanks to thousands of supporters, just like you, chipping in $20 or $50 at a time that we have been able to stay true to that mission and successfully move the needle and change our draconic marijuana laws.

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