Stroup, who served as NORML's executive director for 34 years, said he is retiring to make way for younger leadership to take over the organization.

"When I turned 60, I looked in the mirror and I saw this gray-haired old man and I said, 'I think we need younger leadership.' It has to do with more energy, fresh perspectives, new ideas. It's not like I'm ready for the old folks' home. I just think we need somebody younger running the organization," said Stroup.

During his tenure at NORML, Stroup was responsible for several successful drug-policy-reform initiatives. For instance, in 1975, Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine and Ohio eliminated criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. But most have since recriminalized the drug.

Taking over for Stroup is Allen St. Pierre, 39, who has served as NORML's second-in-command for the past decade.

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