UCONN STUDENT GOVERNMENT BACKS MALLOY BILL ON POT DECRIMINALIZATION

Seems to be little doubt where University of Connecticut students
stand on decriminalization of pot. The UConn Student Government voted
30-1 this week to support Gov. Dannel Malloy's proposal to
decriminalize possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

"It is amazing to see that the representatives from such a diverse
number of backgrounds could come together to nearly unanimously
endorse marijuana reform," was the delighted response from Sam Tracy,
a member of the university's student senate and president of the
UConn chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

Malloy has also proposed legislation to legalize medical marijuana in
Connecticut. Three years ago, Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed a similar bill
passed by the General Assembly.

Here's the full SSDP news release on the UConn student government vote:

The University of Connecticut Student Government passed a statement
in support of Gov. Malloy's Marijuana Decriminalization Bill, SB
1014, with a wide majority, 30-1 on Wednesday night. The
Undergraduate Student Government represents over 17,000
undergraduates, and endorsing a marijuana reform bill is a rare move
by a student government. UConn Students for Sensible Drug Policy
President and Student Government senator Sam Tracy lead the effort
with 15 other co-sponsors.

"It is amazing to see that the representatives from such a diverse
number of backgrounds could come together to nearly unanimously
endorse marijuana reform, something that was pretty controversial
only a few years ago. I look forward to helping Gov. Malloy and the
General Assembly in finally implementing this common-sense policy
that will save our state millions in these tough budget times." Said
Sam Tracy UConn SSDP President and USG Senator.

The near-unanimous passage of this bill further illustrates a
changing tone in the Connecticut public opinion on marijuana reform.
With the recent courageous step by Gov. Malloy to make drug policy
reform a high priority, CT is setting itself up for a major shift
toward more responsible drug policies. The bill mentioned many
poignant recent figures and studies concerning the issue, such as the
fact that 444 students were arrested for drug possession on UConn's
campus in the past three years. They also noted that the state could
save taxpayers over $30 million a year by making possession of small
amounts of marijuana an infraction rather than a misdemeanor,
according to the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis. Due to the
Aid Elimination Provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965, a drug
conviction can bar a student from receiving federal financial aid,
while other crimes, even murder, do not. Over 2,000 CT students have
been denied federal aid due to dr! ! ug convictions.

The students plan to present this endorsement to the state
legislature in the near future.