High I'm a NORML member and I've been in contact with them for a few months. I feel that it's not worth trying to start little organisations everywhere in Australia - nothing has been achieved trying to do this. Changing the laws needs a coordinated effort - and it needs to be credible. When certain politicians have raised the issue, they have been laughed at, and even worse, vilified for even suggesting that cannabis may not be as harmful as what is mainstream thinking. I'm not trying to advertise for NORML, I just feel that we need to tap into the international resources that are available. I don't think that Australian's realise just how huge and powerful NORML is as a lobby group - they are international and have a many years of experience working against prohibition. Although they are massive, they are made up of small, local chapters - and this is how they rely on being run. It is supposed to be a local movement - but is supported by big money that is centrally managed in the US. Starting a chapter is actually easy, but it demands commitment. Some of NORML's expectations of members can be hard to do in Australia, particularly because we don't have a bill of rights. However, as the contact at NORML stated, as soon as there is a chapter established in Australia (and that can be just at state level), then support will flow from the US. I don't know if people are aware of the changes that are happening in the US, but there is a strong chance that legal medicinal cannabis will become legal at a federal level, not just at state level. Once it is law in 50% of the states, then it becomes federal law. Around 13 states have passed laws and 7 are considering (this is just from Wikipedia so the number may be even more). This is huge - and it is what Australian's need to tap into. Can you imagine the credibility this gives to the move to end prohibition? Medicinal cannabis is the first step to ending prohibition. Yes, NORML are a bit slack, but they did inform me that they are extremely busy at the moment as the US membership has surged big time this year - due to Obama's election and the growing movement in the US. There is also a growing number of European countries (where NORML is active) that have/or are considering med use laws. Portugal is a good example of how decriminalisation hasn't 'ruined' the country as mainstream Australian society is led to believe that is will do if the laws were changed here. I think it would be an embarrassment to the Australian government if the med use laws changed in the US when our PM is stating that there are 'no medicinal benefits to using cannabis'. The NSW trials that were announced in 2003 by the Carr government never happened. Australia-wide, there is nothing happening - progress has not only stalled, but things have gone backwards. Med use and the science that backs it, is the way to ending prohibition because it demonstrates that it's not only safe (for recreational use), but can save people's lives too. That would also be the best way for tax-payer funded 'research institutes' like NCPIC and NCETA to be disbanded forever. Joining NORML isn't for everyone, but if you want to do something in Australia, consider joining the HEMP party. It doesn't cost anything to join. All they need is for people to 'own up' to being members when the membership is checked by the electoral commission. There is just too much fear in Australia. The laws are getting tighter and tighter - this trend can't be allowed to continue. These are my opinons - I'm not claiming to an authority, I just want people to consider a different perspective.