STUDENTS LIGHT UP IN HONOR OF 4/20

Sunday is a day often reserved for catching up on some last-minute
homework assignments. But this particular Sunday, April 20, some
students will take the day off, relax with friends and smoke a joint
- - or a bong.

While the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is
usually active collecting signatures, screening films like "In Pot We
Trust" and "Reefer Madness," and sponsoring live bands in their
mission to legalize medical marijuana, they will be taking 4/20 off
this year to relax with some of their like-minded friends.

"I'm going to see all my friends and commune with them," said Paul
Otermat, NORML public relations spokesman.

While his organization doesn't have plans this year, in the past
NORML has held a tribute to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana,
with a "ganja advent" calendar. The calendar went from the beginning
of April up until the 20th, with celebrations everywhere in between,
Otermat said.

"We would have 'Clean Your Bong Day', 'Get Someone to Try a Blunt
Day' and 'Create Your Own Smoking Device Day," Otermat said.

According to NORML member Matt Bruggeman, 4/20 began at San Rafael
High School in San Rafael, Calif., in 1971.

A group of students, calling themselves the Waldos, arranged to meet
at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana by the statue of Louis Pasteur in
front of the school.

"4/20 has evolved into a counterculture holiday," Bruggeman said.
"It's a good time [to] meet up and smoke."

Bruggeman said he plans to spend the day with his friends in Bowling
Green, smoking "blunts, bongs and bowls."

"It's not so much [a] holiday, more of [that] you understand what
[marijuana] is," Bruggeman said. He said he and his friends try to
use pot in a responsible manner while enjoying each other's company.

Campus Police Chief James Weigand warns those celebrating 4/20 that
just because they have an unofficial holiday, they should be aware
that it doesn't make the drug legal.

"Marijuana use is a violation of the law," Wiegand said. "[Smokers]
will be subject to being cited."

The campus police will not be out looking for pot smokers, but they
will take action if the police are called, Wiegand said.

Wiegand also warns that those with drug citations may put their
federal financial aid in danger, and could hurt their chances of
getting a job after college.

"Why put yourself in that position when you try to get a job?"

Otermat said that NORML does not condone the illegal use of
marijuana, but advocates the legalization of medical marijuana.