MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: THE NORML PERSPECTIVE

Last year, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that
16.7 million Americans aged 12 or older used marijuana at least once
in the month prior to being surveyed. Despite the frequent use of the
drug, it remains a Schedule I illegal drug in America.

The UB chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws (NORML) works to dispel the propaganda and
misinformation regarding marijuana and hemp. In addition, UB NORML
also takes a stance on the legalization of the drug.

"[Legalization] could be very different depending on what your
definition of legalization is," said Matthew Kopalek, a senior in the
school of management and president of the UB chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). "It could
entail very strict regulation... most people [think legalization of
marijuana] means no rules or structure."

However, legalization has numerous benefits and drawbacks, many of
which center around financial issues. According to statistics, more
than 870,000 U.S. citizens were arrested in 2007 on cannabis-related
charges, amounting to more than $17 billion tax dollars per year
toward the persecution of mostly non-violent marijuana users.

The most common cited drawback is the public image of our country
having legalized marijuana, according to Kopalek.

"The benefits, though, are proper education of our youth on the
dangers of marijuana, the societal impact, not arresting the
non-violent users of the drug," Kopalek said. "Those are the people
who choose a safer alternative to alcohol."

Marijuana has proven to be less toxic and addictive than alcohol, as
long-term marijuana use is far less damaging and lethal than
long-term alcohol consumption. The consumption of alcohol leads to
aggressive behavior and violence, whereas marijuana reduces the
likelihood of both.

Due to the designation of marijuana as illegal, the growing and
selling of the plant is largely unregulated. This leads to the
"lacing" of marijuana with other substances, which could include
other drugs, toxins, or impurities. However, if marijuana were
legalized, the federal government could potentially have more
influence over the purity of the substance and thus, fully
investigate its potential medicinal uses.

"There's so much good that could come out of the very simple act of
legalizing. You get medical cases, you get studies [showing] it can
help people who are going through chemotherapy who want to eat and
survive," said Elyse Brown, a senior history major and UB NORML
member. "It's a shame that we don't allow it to be used for the good
it can be used for."

However, influential pharmaceutical corporations may also oppose the
legalization of marijuana. There are issues patenting a plant, as it
isn't a substance manufactured by the company. If the company were to
attempt to create a marijuana substitute, the innumerable number of
chemicals found in the plant lead to difficulties in creating a
medicine that accurately replicates its effects.

"Why would leading pharmaceutical companies want people to grow a
plant in their backyard that could replace the drugs that they're
selling?" Kopalek asked.

However, for many other club members, the issue is much larger than
legislation or pharmaceutical patent issues. The problems stem from a
widespread misunderstanding about marijuana and the media's ploy to
sway public opinion.

"There is a major problem with the war on drugs and drugs in
general," said Colin Knoer, a sophomore political science major and
UB NORML treasurer. "When the government talks about the war on
drugs, many people don't listen anymore because it's just 'Above the
Influence' commercials on TV telling you you're going to smoke pot,
sink into your couch and never talk to your [family or friends] ever
again in your life."

During this upcoming semester, UB NORML plans to bring in a lawyer
who has been focusing on marijuana laws in New York State for over 30
years to discuss what a transition period into legalization would
look like for the U.S. and New York. On April 20, the club also plans
on holding a cannabis cultural celebration at Baird Point with live
music, food, and education materials.

For more information, attend a weekly club meeting, held every Friday
at 6 p.m. in 250 Student Union.