40 Under 40: Erik Altieri

Erik Altieri is executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the country’s oldest cannabis legalization advocacy organization—and the youngest person to hold that position since its founding in 1970.

The Philadelphia native is a graduate of American University in Washington, DC and cut his activist teeth opposing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11. He joined NORML as communications director in 2007 and became executive director in 2016.

“I’m proud that NORML has remained true to the mission it was founded on in 1970: to advocate on behalf of cannabis consumers. Our work continues to focus heavily on the core goal that we want to end prohibition, so no marijuana consumer is treated as a criminal or a second-class citizen in society. Consumers want access to a product that’s safe, reliable and convenient to purchase,” Altieri said.

This story was originally published in the print edition of Cannabis Now.