SOUTHERN U. STUDENTS DEBATE ON WHETHER OR NOT USAGE OF MARIJUANA
SHOULD BE LEGALIZED

The subject of whether marijuana should be legalized in Louisiana has
been a highly debated topic even among the students on the campus of
Southern University.

The laws involving marijuana use differ from state to state, however
there are only twelve states in which marijuana is decriminalized.

These states include Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon,
Nebraska, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Maine and Ohio.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is a
non-profit organization that allows people to speak out about
resisting the prohibition of marijuana.

According to their website, NORML said decriminalization indicates
that for a "first-time possession of marijuana in a small amount for
personal consumption there is no prison time or criminal record but
instead is treated like a minor traffic violation."

Southern University students have various ways of looking at the
effects it would have on the black community if marijuana's usage
were to be legalized.

Ryan Carter, a senior mass communications major from LaPlace, said
marijuana affects the decisions that people make.

"I am an adult and I want to act that way at all times," Carter said.
"I don't want marijuana to affect the choices I make."

Carter said, "I know people who go to work and school high which is
not okay. We need more positive leaders in the black community, and
how can one be a positive leader smoking marijuana?"

On the contrary there are students that are willing to speak up about
allowing marijuana to become legalized.

Lialika Bates, a sophomore mass communications major from Baton
Rouge, said marijuana should be legalized because people are going to
use it anyway.

"Some people need it in their system," Bates said. "Marijuana is
known for being calming and the effects aren't nearly as bad as
cocaine or other harsh drugs."

NORML reported that in 2005 more than 850,000 people were arrested
for possession of the drug.

In the state of Louisiana, when someone is convicted for possession
of marijuana it is an offense punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence.

The mandatory minimum sentence suggests that the judge must sentence
the defendant to at least six months in prison for the offense.

According to NORML, Louisiana also has a marijuana tax stamp law enacted.

This law mandates that those who possess marijuana are legally
required to purchase and affix state-issued stamps onto his or her
contraband. Failure to do so may result in a fine and/or criminal
sanction, states the website.