NORML MAY FUND SPEECH

Student senators preliminarily granted UF's chapter of the National
Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws $3,031 Tuesday night to
bring a speaker to campus this Spring.

Senators again will have to agree on the money during their meeting next
week for it to be allotted.

NORML founder Josh Manning told senators that the group is planning to
bring one of seven federally approved medicinal marijuana users to campus.

Manning would not, however, comment on which user the members plan to invite.

Manning said the speech would be "of an educational nature."

"The most effective way to educate someone is to bring an expert in,"
Manning said. "That's what students want."

The Senate, without debate or comment, approved the special request. The
speaker will be paid a $600 honorarium.

According to the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project, seven
citizens have permission from the federal government to use marijuana to
alleviate pain from chronic illnesses or terminal diseases.

The seven users were approved under the Federal Drug Administration's
Compassionate Investigational New Drug program, which has been closed to
new applicants since 1992.

Texas resident George McMahon, 53, was granted use because he suffers from
a neurological disorder that attacks his internal organs and immune system.

Irvin Rosenfeld, a Fort Lauderdale stockbroker, and Iowa resident Barbara
Douglass, who has multiple sclerosis, are legal marijuana users.

Elvy Musikka uses marijuana to treat glaucoma and had previously been
arrested for using the drug. The remaining users could not be identified
Tuesday evening.

UF's NORML group is one of the largest and fastest growing chapters in the
nation, said Manning who helped form the group in the Spring 2003.

Manning said NORML has plans to start a write-and-call-your-congressman
campaign in the Spring.

Manning said the group in Spring will start weekly open meetings.

Since 1996, voters in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Nevada,
Oregon and Washington have approved propositions allowing medical use.