Exciting Changes in Texas NORML!

Friends, colleagues, and fellow activists,

Today I am announcing that, due to personal and family responsibilities, I will be stepping down as Executive Director of Texas NORML, effective June 1st.

I have been in this position for 8 years, and was involved with Texas NORML for nearly 2 years before that. In the decade since I first became involved, I have witnessed this organization transform itself from a tiny group of folks who didn’t have the capacity to keep memberships, or participate significantly in the legislative session, into a substantial group of dedicated activists who put in literally hundreds of volunteer hours every month.

Thanks to the efforts of our Board of Directors, Texas NORML has become known as one of the most active NORML chapters in the nation, and our membership has grown from zero almost a decade ago to a sustaining membership base of between 250-300 members.

This change in leadership is an exciting time for Texas NORML, and it comes on the heels of our most successful lobbying campaign ever. With the volunteer work of our Board of Directors and dozens of members & volunteers, Texas NORML, over the past 2 years, has successfully completed major projects that just 5 years ago would have been impossible for us; our Voters’ Guide, Legislative Educational Package, and direct lobbying of Texas Legislators has garnered more attention for our cause and our organization than anything else we’ve ever done. And it has paid off in terms of getting media attention, legislators’ attention, and even moving the bills in the legislature further than we’ve ever seen.

So, with all that said, I’d like to announce that Texas NORML’s Board of Directors has voted to have Cheyanne Weldon as the new Executive Director, and Jax Finkel as the new Deputy Director for Texas NORML.

Many of you already know Jax and Cheyanne, and if you do then you know what essential assets they have been to Texas NORML over the past several years.

Without the dedicated volunteer work these two have done for Texas NORML during the past election and legislative cycles, we would not have been able accomplish any of the things we have, and I am proud to call them colleagues, friends, and fellow activists.

What Texas NORML needs from you, our members and supporters, is to get more involved, stay more involved, and know that support is also essential to making sure that Texas NORML continues to grow in size, in influence, and in success. So, if you haven’t become a member yet, please do so, and if you are already a member, please know that Texas NORML needs you to get more involved, and dedicate some of your time and money to helping us bring about real positive changes in marijuana law in this state. We cannot do this huge task without your help and support, and Texas NORML’s Board of Directors needs that help and support, so please give and volunteer what you can.

Sincerely, and with best wishes,

Josh Schimberg