SSDP RALLIES SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

To the Cigar,

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving holiday. In this time of thanks and
as the holidays are quickly approaching, we can't forget how lucky we
as college students are. We are the privileged. We as students have
the world at our fingertips. We have the power to organize and affect
change.

Unlike most of the population, students often find themselves with
extra time on their hands, let's say to party. I can say that I have
rarely met any college students who don't enjoy their rights to
privacy and right to party. Yes, that is a right. These rights are not
always free. People, organizations and grassroots movements have paved
the way and secured these, among other even more important rights and
privileges we all enjoy.

America has seen an overwhelming amount of social movements that
helped shape our world today. These movements include but are not
limited to the abolitionist movement of the mid-1800s, the struggle
for women's suffrage, the civil rights movement, the Gay Lesbian
Bisexual and Transgender movement and finally the feminist movement of
the 1970s.

When each of these movements is examined, it is not surprising to find
the framework was laid by students. Students ran the show behind the
scenes, students rallied for support and students were able to find
solidarity with each other in these movements. As activists, many of
us have heard the phrase, "movements are dead, they died with the
'60s." On the contrary, movements are flourishing in and around
grassroots circles.

The No. 1 topic that might not be on the mind of many is the WAR on
drugs. Yes - a very real war that costs the tax paying public $69
billion per year (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition). This is a war
waged in the name of American children, you and me. The war on drugs
is a racist, sexist, classist war that preys on underprivileged citizens.

This is also a war that will arrest your dying grandmother just for
smoking a "joint," the only medicine that eases her chemo. This is a
war that needs to end, today. We as students must come together and
cry out to our leaders, "this war is not working." We, the children of
the DARE generation that this war is supposed to help, are being
harmed and disenfranchised. We need to put our foot down and take a
stand.

As I have said, students are in this unique position to continue to
make change on their campuses and in state legislation. Students for
Sensible Drug Policy is asking for your help. Patients on their death
bed, non-violent drug offenders, WE need your help.

According to the organization's mission statement, "SSDP is an
international grassroots network of students all over the country (and
now in Canada) who are concerned about the impact that drug abuse has
on our communities, but who also know that the war on drugs is failing
our generation and our society.

"SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the
political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer
and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive
Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and
youth."

SSDP chapters have sprung up all over America, and the organization
now has more than 100 chapters. As of this year, 10 colleges in Canada
have come together nationally to form CSSDP. This movement is growing
stronger every day, but we must continue on this road. It is essential
then, we must be persistent in our educational efforts. Each chapter
works toward change on their own campus and in the local community.

As you may know, Rhode Island is officially the 11th state to pass
medical marijuana. On Jan. 3, 2006, the Rhode Island General Assembly
overrode Gov. Donald L. Carcieri's veto to pass into law the Edward O.
Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act. Not only was this
an incredible feat for the drug policy movement in Rhode Island, it
clearly demonstrated how much support Rhode Islanders have for the
bill.

Prior to the passing of the Medical Marijuana Act, progressive groups
from around the state got together and formed the Rhode Island Patient
Advocacy Coalition. "RIPAC is Rhode Island's grassroots medical
marijuana community. Patients, caregivers, doctors, health care
providers, advocates, lawyers, organizations, and citizens are invited
to join our coalition.

"RIPAC seeks to educate all Rhode Islanders about medical marijuana
and its therapeutic benefits, as well as the Rhode Island Medical
Marijuana Act, as implemented by the state Department of Health's
Medical Marijuana Program," according to the Web site.

The current organizational members of the coalition include URI and
Brown's SSDP chapters, the Rhode Island Medical Society, AIDS Project
Rhode Island, Rhode Island State Nurses Association, United Nurses and
Allied Professionals, Rhode Island Academy for Family Physicians and
Rhode Island ACLU. RIPAC is also endorsed by Providence Mayor David
Cicilline.

URI and Brown's SSDP chapters held a tabling event in the Union and on
the Quadrangle yesterday. Together, the two chapters intend to spread
the word about RIPAC and gain new support for the bill as it quickly
approaches its sunset clause. We encourage every one to some show your
support for medical marijuana in the future. Do your part to get
informed, be proactive!

We encourage everyone to stop by our meetings Thursday nights in
Memorial Union room 128 at 7 p.m. Like all of us, you probably ate too
much turkey (or tofu-rkey) and could use a little exercise. Get out of
your dorm room and come show your support. We would like to thank all
of our supporters. Keep up the good work. We could not do it without
you!

Noel Marandola,

President