Founded in 2005 by Serra Frank, Moms for Marijuana came from the humble beginnings of a simple MySpace page. From there, Moms for Marijuana has grown into an online organizing machine that has helped move marijuana reform forward.
Moms for Marijuana International represents more than 160 chapters in 19 countries on five continents. The official Moms for Marijuana Facebook page has over 35,000 likes.
Sparket Schmooze, a mother running the Moms for Marijuana Boston Facebook page rattles off some of their recent work. “Locally, our chapters are holding public meetings, marches, picnics, chalk walks, and many other activities all geared towards cannabis education and creating awareness and honest discussion. Many of our chapter leaders and board members are very active lobbying their state legislatures and testifying on cannabis bills.
“Nationally, we have our cannabis quilt project. We have also opened submissions for our VOW/POW panel, to honor those who have fallen victim to and/or are prisoners of the drug war.”
The reach of the Moms is not to be taken lightly.
In April of this year, a portion of the Dallas Moms for Marijuana Cannabis quilt was stolen and quickly returned after a grassroots viral campaign erupted for its return.
There’s a Moms for Marijuana book in the works titled, Women of the Cannabis Quilt.
Schmooze is most proud of the Mom’s work to support victims of the drug war.
“We regularly do what we call our Moms Call To Actions, to help garner support and raise legal funds for those families being affected by this ridiculous drug war. Most recently, we took action to support pregnant Chicago teacher, Gina Epps who was unfairly arrested for mere crumbs of marijuana in her car and was forced to resign from her job. Due to public support those charges were dropped. And then there’s our legal fund for the Idaho Three, Lindsey and Josh Rinehart and Sarah Caldwell. So far we have raised more than $6500 (and still rising) in 10 days.”
Join #Moms4Mj ‘s #CallToAction and help #StopTheLies ! facebook.com/events/2474371… #mmot #mmj #cannabis #fight #GetInvolved
— Moms For Marijuana (@Moms4Marijuana) May 16, 2013
Dana Beal, a Yippee (Youth International Party member) and marijuana legalization organizer with Boston ties is currently receiving support from the Moms to ask for his early parole from prison. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRkjqIX3644 So, why Moms for Marijuana?
“Well, because it’s very hard to argue with a mom. Women, mothers were instrumental in ending alcohol prohibition after realizing it was far more harmful to their families than alcohol. We believe it will be women once again who will be instrumental in ending marijuana prohibition, for much the same reasons.”
“Honestly educating the public, and especially our children, is extremely important in removing the stigma, changing minds, and repealing archaic laws against marijuana.”