El Paso NORML inaugural meeting Saturday, aims to legalize marijuana

A newly formed group called El Paso NORML is trying to make Texas the next state to reform its pot laws.

The founding members from the El Paso chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws are hosting their first meeting 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Hilton Garden Inn and hundreds are expected to attend.

Colt DeMorris, Josh Dagda, Richard Gonzalez and Chris Amberger are part of the board of directors for El Paso NORML. Friday evening they took the time to explain how and why they’ve created a local chapter.

“There’s patients that need safe access. I think we should stop locking up non violent offenders for a plant that comes from the earth,” DeMorris said.

Power of few now … but they’re hoping after Saturday there will be many more voices for the cause.

“We’re here to inform the public of the positive options of marijuana legalization,” Dagda said about NORML’s mission.

Founding members used Facebook to help launch the group and an event scheduled for this weekend has more than 300 people who say they’re attending.

The group is hoping to change public opinion about smoking by educating and will hold activism events calling for lawmakers to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults. If they succeeded, that could possibly make Texas become the next Colorado, a state where production, sale and recreational use are now legal.

Amberger is a U.S. Army veteran who has seen the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and feels strongly about marijuana helping those suffering.

“It’s only viable that we have a non addictive way of treating these people,” Amberger said.

El Paso NORML is aiming to not just end legal repercussions but help those who can use marijuana for medicinal purposes.