Colleagues: This is a reminder that the NORML 2001 Conference is scheduled for Thursday, April 19 through Saturday, April 21 in Washington, DC. The conference, entitled "4:20, A Celebration of Personal Freedom," will be held at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel. Please make your hotel reservations now (telephone number 800-HOTELS-1) (ask for the "NORML Conference), to assure that you obtain a room at the special conference rate of $129 per night, single or double occupancy. Only a limited number of rooms are being held at the reduced rate, so please act soon. New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, the nation's leading advocate for ending the drug war and legalizing marijuana, will be the luncheon speaker on Thursday, April 19. Other featured speakers include Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), the principal Congressional sponsor of a federal medical use bill; San Francisco District Attorney Terence Hallinan; and ACLU Executive Director Ira Glasser, who will deliver the keynote speech on Thursday morning. The underlying premise of the conference is that we should stop arresting responsible marijuana smokers. Throughout the 3-day conference, panels will address topics such as the medical use of marijuana; drug laws, civil liberties and discrimination; the courts and marijuana policy; a rational harm reduction policy regarding kids and marijuana; state voter initiatives; developments in Europe and Canada; and new strategies to respond to new opportunities. NORML has scheduled this conference to coincide with "4/20," the date that has become associated in the popular culture as a special day for marijuana smokers -- sort of what "It's Miller time" has become to beer drinkers. We hope to build on that tradition and encourage reform supporters to join us in Washington, DC as a way to celebrate 4/20,". Social events include a High Times/NORML opening reception on Thursday evening, with a silent art auction and a special awards presentation; and a special High Times 4/20 Celebration to benefit NORML on Friday evening. The annual NORML conference is open to all who support reforming marijuana policy. It provides an exceptional opportunity to meet and network with allies from across the country and prepare for the year ahead. For additional details and online registration, visit the NORML web site at http://norml.org Regards, Keith Stroup Executive Director NORML