National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Peachtree NORML Presents Their Second Annual
Southern Cannabis Reform Conference
"The Road To Reform"
Let's Educate Ourselves
Peachtree NORML will host drug policy advisers and coalition organizations to Atlanta to discuss marijuana law reform. Medical professionals, law enforcement, clergy, advocates and attendees will come together to discuss the past, the present and the future of reform in the South. How to grow our movement and continue our successes and to mourn the victims of our "War on Drugs." Scroll down for the agenda & speakers.
DATE: Saturday March 22, 2014
TIME: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (EDT) Registration begins 8:00 am
TICKETS: available at Eventbrite
Early Bird Admission-$ 35.00
General Admission-$45.00
Please print and bring your ticket.
LOCATION: Georgia Tech Hotel Conference Center 800 Spring Street, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
404-347-9440 - Hotel Information
PARKING: Parking is available at the conference center $15.
Other parking close by for $5
Marta is also a great option, instructions are above in the directions link.
LUNCH OPTIONS: Ga Tech has a beautiful lunch buffet - (not included).
Other fast food and sit down restaurants are just a short walk away.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: a block of discounted rooms is available
(Guests can also access the Peachtree NORML reservations link by logging on to www.gatechhotel.com clicking on the “Group Booking Code” at the top of the page and entering the group password – “peach0314”) lower-case letters only.
Conference sponsorship information: Sponsorships with or without a table at the conference are limited. To be included in our 2014 sponsorship banner please secure your spot by March 5th. Contact us for details and application at contactus@peachtreenorml.org.
Didn't answer your questions? contact us at 706-525-9970 or contactus@peachtreenorml.org
Agenda & Speakers:
Neill Franklin – Executive Director of LEAP- Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Over his 33-year career, Neill Franklin watched hardworking and dedicated fellow cops die in the line of fire enforcing policies that don’t do any good. After 23 years with the Maryland State Police, including as an undercover narc and as the head trainer for drug enforcement, Neill was recruited by the Baltimore Police Department to reorganize its education and training division. LEAP as the organization’s executive director.
“It pains me to know that there is a solution for preventing tragedy and nothing is being done because of ignorance, stubbornness, unsubstantiated fear and greed.” – Neill Franklin
Dr. Uma Dhanabalan- Cannabis Therapeutics Specialist
Uma V.A. Dhanabalan, MD, MPH, FAAP, MRO is a highly respected physician trained in Family Medicine and Occupational & Environmental Medicine. She is Board certified in Occupational Medicine, Medical Review Officer and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Russ Belville Director of 420Radio.com and Host of The Russ Belville Show
Russ Belville is the Executive Producer of 420RADIO.org - 24 Hour Marijuana Legalization Talk Radio - and the host of The Russ Belville Show, airing live at 3pm Pacific every weekday, with replays at 6pm, 9pm, 6am, & 9am. 420RADIO.org is available via web, TuneIn Radio, Ustream TV, SHOUTcast, and on demand at iTunes, Stitcher, and YouTube. Russ also contributes to HIGH TIMES, Alternet, Salon, National Cannabis Coalition, and The Weed Blog and is a renown marijuana policy expert who has presented at dozens of national drug policy and marijuana business conferences, hempfests, Cannabis Cups, state legislatures, and political rallies. Russ began his marijuana activism in 2005 volunteering with Oregon NORML in Portland, then working for National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws in Washington DC from 2009-2012.
Pastor Kenneth Glasgow- TOPS- National Speaker Activist on Drug Policy Reform
Pastor Kenneth Glasgow's life is one of redemption. He currently serves as the Executive Director for The Ordinary People's Society (also known as TOPS). TOPS is a faith-based organization that bridges the gap between the have and have-nots.
Pastor Glasgow's direction of TOPS provides rehabilitation to repeat offenders while creating a program that target the youth before they reach the Criminal Justice System. Since his own release from the criminal justice system, Pastor Glasgow has remained committed to saving souls and ensuring that redemption is in the lives of those who have served their debts to society.
Dougie "The Abolitionist" Hanson-
Is a local Artist/Activist/Community Organizer and Small Business Owner. He Chairs a Criminal Justice Committee for the Clayton County Branch NAACP & is an active member of the Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America. He is also the initiator of the Georgia Coalition to END the New Jim Crow & is currently an organizer with the Moral Monday Movement in Atlanta. As a Revolutionary Christian, he struggles daily to fight the remaining vestiges or sediments of Slavery by applying the principles of the past and present day "Abolition Movement".
Jeremy Sharp- Student for Sensible Drug Policy University of North Georgia
I have been a resident of Georgia for 26 years and I have witnessed first hand the negative consequences caused by the War On Drugs. I study Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law at the University of North Georgia. I am the Founder and President of UNG's SSDP Chapter. I also hold the position of South Eastern Regional Coordinator for SSDP's Amplify Project. I currently work as a Lobbyist for Good Samaritan Laws and Naloxone access for Georgia. I have also lobbied for HB 885. I got involved because I am tired of seeing my friends die or go to prison while politicians sit back and allow for these inept policies and laws to prevail.
James Bell- Ga CARE project
James Bell, 54, is a native of Georgia and has been a marijuana activist for 25 years. His first project was the formation of Georgia NORML in 1987 where he led a legalization movement during the height of the War on Drugs. After an arrest for marijuana in 1992, Bell served 730 days in the Georgia state prison system. While serving his prison time he vowed to continue the fight for freedom.
James has hosted dozen of press conferences, protests and forums in support of law reform. He serves as a spokesperson for the reform movement and consults with various media groups on the issue.
Bell’s current project is the Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education (Georgia CARE Project) a lobbying group focused on the Georgia General Assembly. www.gacareproject.com
Sharon Ravert - Executive Director Peachtree NORML
Sharon is a wife, mother, caregiver, business owner and life long resident of Georgia. Her eyes were opened when her family was traumatized by the “War on Drugs”, she uses her ears to listen to other victims and her mouth to tell their stories and educate others.
She has been a guest on numerous radio stations across the country as well as local and regional TV news affiliates. Sharon travels the country speaking on various topics including drug policy, activism, southern strategies and harm reduction. She produces a segment on 420radio.com highlighting the stories and work of other women in the fight to end marijuana prohibition.
Thomas Elliott- Student for Sensible Drug Policy Georgia State University
Adrian Bernal- Latin American Association
Chad Brock- ACLU of Georgia, Legal Counsel
Chad was born and raised in Dalton, Georgia. He graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in political science and earned his J.D. from the Georgia State University College of Law in 2012, where he also received the Michelle Ferguson Priestly Award for outstanding record of achievement in criminal law and criminal procedure, served as President of the Labor and Employment Society, and competed in the National Health Law Moot Court Competition.
Chad has been very active in state politics, serving as Vice President of Finance for the Young Democrats of Georgia and State Director of Georgia Students for Barack Obama. In 2008, Chad worked as Deputy Field Director for the Obama for America campaign in Georgia and Deputy Finance Director for the Martin for Senate campaign. In 2009, Chad served as the Deputy Finance Director on the Poythress for Governor campaign.
During law school, Chad spent two semesters as a law clerk for the ACLU of Georgia and two semesters as a law clerk for the Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection. Chad joined the ACLU of Georgia as a lobbyist during the 2012 legislative session and was hired as staff attorney/legislative counsel in September 2012.
Ebony Knight- NORML Women's Alliance
Author, artist, and activist are just a few of the many hats Ebony Knight wears. With over 10 years' experience in youth advocacy & international consulting, she is the founder of Passion Ink, Incorporated, Project Freedom & Ebony Knight Media. In addition to serving on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, this busy mother of 6 is also well-known for her unique style of political comedy and an array of writing/publishing credits which range from SKUNK Magazine to legal journals. She is currently preparing for the launching of her sophomore book release, Raising Rebels.