NORML’s Executive Director Erik Altieri is officially stepping down from his position at the organization to pursue projects outside of the marijuana policy reform space.
Altieri assumed the leadership role in November 2016, directing NORML during one of the more successful periods in the marijuana law reform movement’s history. Since Altieri took over leadership of the organization in 2017, 13 states have legalized cannabis for adults and on two occasions, the US House of Representatives has voted to repeal federal cannabis prohibition. In October, President Joe Biden became the first sitting president to call federal prohibition a “failed approach to marijuana.” He also issued a directive pardoning over 6,500 Americans with low-level federal marijuana convictions on their criminal records.
Altieri also shepherded the organization through the COVID pandemic, during which time NORML advocated on behalf of policies to better educate, represent, and protect the cannabis community. These activities included cautioning consumers not to share cannabis consumption devices, pushing back against purveyors of unproven, cannabis-specific COVID remedies, partnering with scientists and other health professionals who sought to document the pandemic’s effects on consumers’ behaviors, and advocating for state and local policies declaring regulated marijuana businesses as essential services.
Altieri began his professional career with NORML as an intern in 2007 and later became Communications Director. After a brief absence from the organization, he returned in 2016 as the youngest Executive Director in NORML’s 50+ year history.
On numerous occasions, Altieri was recognized by the cannabis community for his leadership and service. He was selected by Forbes, Cannabis Now, and others to appear on their annual ’30 under 30′ and ’40 under 40′ lists of industry and advocacy leaders. In 2022, Inside NJ listed Mr. Altieri as #16 on their Top 100 Power List, stating, “[He] has presided over the most fruitful era of cannabis reform in the history of mankind.”
“I’m proud that NORML has remained true to the mission on which it was founded in 1970: to advocate on behalf of cannabis consumers,” Altieri said. “NORML’s work focuses heavily on the core goal of ending prohibition, so no marijuana consumer is treated as a criminal or a second-class citizen in society.”
NORML’s Board of Directors has formed a committee to coordinate the search for a new Executive Director. In the interim, NORML Board Member and Treasurer Randy Quast will serve as NORML’s acting Executive Director.
NORML advocates for changes in public policy so that the responsible possession and use of marijuana by adults is no longer subject to criminal penalties. NORML further advocates for a regulated commercial cannabis market so that activities involving the for-profit production and retail sale of cannabis and cannabis products are safe, transparent, consumer-friendly, and are subject to state and/or local licensure. Finally, NORML advocates for additional changes in legal and regulatory policies so that those who use marijuana responsibly no longer face either social stigma or workplace discrimination, and so that those with past criminal records for marijuana-related violations have the opportunity to have their records automatically expunged.
Find out more at norml.org and read the NORML Fact Sheets on the most common misconceptions and myths regarding cannabis and cannabis policies.
