NORML: STUDENTS ORGANIZE FOR MARIJUANA REFORM

The University of West Georgia's first meeting of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws chapter met in
Humanities on Feb. 11 to discuss options for changing current Georgia
laws addressing marijuana.

NORML isn't a campus organization that collects dues. Rather, their
focus is to hold benefits to collect money for the group's mission.
The organization is dependant on participation in public events like
town hall meetings, such as last week's visits from Congressman Phil
Gingrey and US Senator Johnny Isakson.

Currently, Georgia laws offer no leniency for marijuana, possession
or otherwise, although UWG's NORML chapter has been working to put
Proposition 42 on the county ballot. The proposition is a potential
ordinance for the city of Athens that would limit the penalty for the
possession of a quarter-once of marijuana to a $100 fine.

UWG's NORML chapter is the only other college chapter in the state,
and it began its crusade to gain attention for its cause during
Congressman Gingrey's and Senator Isakson's recent visits.

According to Chapter President Tommy Miller, little ground was gained
with Senator Isakson, because he was unable to gather a clear
distinction between the industrial hemp that Miller proposed as an
economic stimulant and the chemical THC, which is found elsewhere on the plant.

Miller wanted to stress more than just using hemp as a cash crop - he
wanted the meeting's agenda to focus on the power of the vote.

"We want to have computers at every event to encourage voter
registration," said Miller. "Voting is important."

NORML began their first meeting with information about marijuana and
the perceived myths associated with it. Miller and Chapter Vice
President Kayla Walker addressed the myths clearly.

"Students have shown that marijuana actually promoted brain-cell
growth," Miller said. "And, unlike tobacco smoke, [it] doesn't cause cancer."

Walker addressed the belief that the use of marijuana acts as a
"gateway" for harder drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

"The 'gateway drug' thing is a myth," said Walker. "It's because
[marijuana] is illegal. If your dealer is selling marijuana and also
selling [cocaine] - that's what's going to cause the use of those drugs."

Of course, both sides of the legalization debate rest on these there
issues, and anti-marijuana activists claim that these myths are fact.

Miller said that NORML members have a stake in ending the "stereotype
of 'stoners' as lazy and useless to society," and that "grassroots
movements are what get stuff done."

The organization plans to try new ways to garner attention to their
cause. Some ideas presented to the crowd included benefit concerts
supported by university professors, as well as a comedy night, movies
and a "non-tainted" bake sale.

"You have to be active if you want to have change," said Walker.

NORML's next event is a screening of the film, "The Union: The
Business Behind Getting High," on Feb. 25 in the TLC Room 1203 at 7
p.m. The chapter meets every other Thursday on campus, although, due
to the large number of attendees, the location may be due to change.