Ethel Rowland first became interested in drug policy and political activism in the 1970s, and has been working as an advocate for policy reform for many years. After she joined the ACLU in 2001, she became the drug policy chair for both the local chapter board and the state affiliate board. During her time with the ACLU, she conducted training for ex-felons rights restoration and led the state affiliate to highlight drug policy as a priority.
In 2003, Ethel joined FL CAN and founded a local chapter. As a member of the League of Women Voters of St Lucie County she chaired a study of the drug use question on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and began studying restorative justice. Later that year, she attended her first International Reform Conference and was introduced to Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), which, alongside FL CAN, would become a major investment of her time and focus for the next ten years.
From 2004 onwards, she worked with LEAP in various roles, lending a hand wherever one was needed, from tabling at conferences, to meeting with legislative and congressional leadership. When Howard Wooldridge, co-founder of LEAP, made his second cross-country ride to spread awareness of LEAP and the political issues it faces, Ethel worked tirelessly as the media and logistical liaison for the project. Thanks to her success with this, she became the organization’s project coordinator and involved herself further with training and tour bookings for LEAP speakers nationally and internationally.
To deal with the emotional impact of the work she has used her artistic energy to create oil paintings and sculptures depicting the tragedies that have come about as a direct result of our nation’s drug policy. This series, entitled Tears of the Drug War, has greatly helped spur conversation about and interest in the issues within the local community. Her second series entitled, Square Grouper Gallery, brings a bit of levity to the issue.
Ethel’s passion for policy reform has driven her to accept the role of Legislative Director, which allowed her to work more closely with Florida legislators on our state’s drug policies, focusing specifically on legalization of cannabis for recreational and industrial use.
In 2016, Ethel became the third President of FLCAN. Her goal is everyone’s access to the whole Cannabis plant for all its uses: food, fuel, fiber, pharmacopoeia and fun.
