ABNORML HEARING

NORML at UGA is not being subjected to the same policies as other
organizations.

The saga continues.

Tuesday evening, the University chapter of the National Organization
for the Reform of Marijuana Laws had its first formal hearing with
the student judiciary.

The student organization was contacted by the Office of Legal Affairs
in January claiming its logo - an illustration of a bulldog smoking a
joint while studying under the arch - was a trademarked image and
NORML must remove the image from its Web site immediately.

NORML removed the image, but was given two options: Sign an informal
resolution admitting wrongdoing and taking up to a year of probation
as punishment or proceed to a formal hearing.

The group took the latter. We don't blame it.

This town is full of bulldog references. If Legal Affairs wants to
claim trademark infringement on its beloved bulldog, we suggest it
contact the following businesses to evaluate their logos: Bulldog
Taxi, Bulldog Pizza, Bulldog Car Wash, Utage Sushi Bar for its "Spicy
Bulldog Roll," Bulldawg Lawn Care and Kroger - for the scary bulldog
statue they display every football season.

We believe the sole reason the University is claiming trademark
infringement is because the logo involves marijuana.

Let us not forget the University approved NORML at UGA as a
University organization - this means that it can be allocated
University funding if it needs it. We believe this gives the group
even more of a right to satirize a University subject.

Let us not forget the First Amendment.

- - Chelsea Cook for the editorial board