NORML PROMOTES LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA TO APPREHENSIVE AUDIENCE

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, was
presented to SGA by the local chapter's founders and it became
official an official student organization on April 13th of this year.

Chris Cahill, a senior from Memphis, Tenn., and president of the UTC
chapter of NORML, said he felt inspired to start a local chapter of
the national organization after writing a paper about NORML for an
intro to non-profits class at UTC.

"Membership is open to all UTC students with a 2.0 GPA for $15, and
you get a T-shirt," Cahill said. "You can find us on Facebook at UT
Chattanooga NORML."

Cahill says he is proud of the success the organization has had since
hosting a bake sale on April 19th during which 200 students and
faculty members signed a paper to voice their support of NORML and its
goals.

David Boyd, a Jackson, Tenn. freshman, said the issue of the
legalization of marijuana creates mixed feelings amoung students.

"It's kind of a tough issue," he said.

Dr. Jennifer Beech, faculty advisor for NORML, said, "I'm proud to see
members of our youth generation taking part in participatory
democracy. The members of the local chapter are highly organized and
very thoughtful in their approach to civic discourse."

"I'm excited to keep students informed with the most up-to-date
information and articles on the legalization effort and to promote
NORML's principles for responsible use: adults only, no driving,
respect the rights of others, be aware of the situation, and resist
abuse.," she said.

Emma Hall, a sophomore from Estill Springs, Tenn., said, "To truly
become decided on the cause, I would need more information." Hall said
the group should be working harder to inform students.

"NORML may be a very well-informed group but their presentation gave
me the impression that they aren't very serious and don't have all the
information I would be seeking if I seriously wanted to learn about
medical marijuana," she said.

Hall spoke about the humor involved in NORML's advertisements, such as
the flyers around campus, which begin with the question, "Want a brownie?"

"As a whole NORML is a pretty positive influence," Boyd said. "I would
like to see more of a push on non-inhalation uses for recreational
marijuana. I think if we could move towards that, we would be much
better off."

Cahill said that students should do their homework before finalizing
their opinions.

"You're paying a lot for this war on drugs that you don't even care
about," he said. "Let's cut taxes and raise some revenue by opening up
a new market."