Alabama Housewife Becomes One of State’s Leading Marijuana Activists

Loretta Nall went from housewife to outspoken marijuana advocate. She ran for governor in 2006 and created the Alabama Compassionate Care group. She also created the U.S. Marijuana Party in 2002 when her time as solely a housewife ended.

In 2002, Nall connected with Canada’s “Prince of Pot,” Marc Emery, according to AL.com. Following a visit to Canada, at Emery’s request, her home was surrounded by law enforcement. They claimed that marijuana plants could be seen growing on her property – but that was not the case. She said, “Within a week of my returning I had helicopters buzzing my house and (police on) ATVs in my yard.”

Within days of writing a letter to the editor of a Birmingham publication, police showed up at her door with a search warrant in-hand. All they found was less than a gram of marijuana, a scale and some rolling papers.

She said, “I think I was the first one to get the media’s attention (for pot legalization). They (police) turned me into an activist by raiding my home and trying to take my children and violating my first amendment rights.”

Emery commended her efforts since he understands the difficulty of advocating for marijuana in a red state, especially a red “Bible Belt” state. Nall worked with him for about 2 and a half years as a guest host for an online marijuana television show.

Regarding her efforts, Emery said, “She got all fired up. She has always been an advocate for legalization in a very inhospitable state.”

She is not happy with the amount of progress made in Alabama regarding medical marijuana, but agrees that progress of any kind is a step in the right direction. Alabama approved Carly’s Law and Leni’s Law allowing for use of cannabidiol oil (CBD oil) for debilitating conditions and seizure disorders.

She said, “Anything like that is progress. There are lots of people that doesn’t apply to that can’t get any help.”