GREEKS ASKED TO HELP WITH DRUG-LAW REFORM

The Marijuana Policy Project Foundation, a group formed to fight
marijuana laws, has asked more than 2,300 fraternities and sororities
around the country to contribute money this week.

The national organization is focused on reforming marijuana laws, said
Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project.

The group aimed its solicitation to fraternities and sororities
because the effects of marijuana laws fall disproportionately on the
college-age group and believes that marijuana should be taxed and
regulated, similar to alcohol, he said.

"If you are arrested for having a joint, you could lose your student
aid," Mirken said.

Members of the MSU greek system would not consider the cause if
contacted by the foundation, said Cody Dawson, the vice president of
external relations for the Interfraternity Council.

Choosing to smoke marijuana is an individual choice and individual
opinion, and not something the greek community as a whole would choose
to represent in any way, Dawson said. The MSU greek community has not
yet been contacted, he said.

"It's not something the greek community would tolerate any support
of," Dawson said.

The fraternities and sororities of MSU prefer to support more
charitable causes that help both the university and the community, he
said.

"There are much more noble causes, both within individual fraternities
and sororities, and within the MSU and East Lansing communities that
are a much greater concern," Dawson said.

Groups MSU fraternities and sororities donate to include the American
Cancer Society, the Ronald McDonald House and the Youth Action Team at
the Hannah Community Center, Dawson said.

"I could name a hundred," Dawson said. "We are trying to do what we
can."

The greek community also avoids supporting political initiatives, such
as the Marijuana Policy Project Foundation, Mahfouz Ackall, president
of the Interfraternity Council said.

"We try to help people with what we do," Ackall said. "That's more of
a political circumstance they are working under."

But Mirken said that, because marijuana laws cause more harm than they
help, he said the Marijuana Policy Project Foundation is a worthy and
humanitarian effort as any for anyone to donate to.

"America's present marijuana laws are stupid, harmful and
destructive," Mirken said. "That harm falls particularly on college
students."