DRUG INSPIRES ACTIVISM

Sophomore journalism major Shane Atkinson watched a movie last month
that inspired him to get active in the community.

"I never knew the history of marijuana legislation until I watched
'Grass,'" Atkinson said. "The movie really makes you think."

Sophomore business major Jorel Pierce was also inspired. "I had to
give a civic participation speech about something I was interested
in," Pierce said. "I really feel marijuana should be legal, so I got
involved in NORML."

Together, Pierce and Atkinson decided to form a chapter of the
National Organization for Reforming Marijuana Laws, or NORML, on the
UNC campus. Other schools, such as the University of Colorado-Boulder,
already have NORML chapters.

NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that, for more than 30
years, has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana
prohibition. NORML represents those Americans who smoke marijuana and
think the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana no longer should
be a crime.

"We are not advocating use, and especially not abuse, but we think
that what people do in their homes should be private," Pierce said.

So far, NORML has gotten different responses around campus from
students and teachers.

"It's cool they're working for what they believe in," sophomore music
education major Erin Armstrong said.

Wayne Melanson, associate professor of journalism and mass
communications, thinks it's good that the issue is going to be out in
the public for students to discuss.

"I heard Bill O'Reilly even thinks it should be legal," Melanson said
about the host of "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News.

But senior economics major Charles States is against legalizing
marijuana.

"I don't think it should be legalized, due to the fact America can't
handle it being illegal," States said. "I feel it would drain money
away from local governments that enforce illegal use."

But Atkinson said States is uneducated when it comes to the war on
drugs.

"Taxpayers annually spend between 7.5 and 10 billion dollars
arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating people on marijuana charges,
and 90 percent of these arrests are for mere possession," Atkinson
said. "Marijuana reform could save the people billions and could
greatly stimulate the American economy."

Besides showing the movie "Grass," Thursday's NORML meeting will give
information and statistics about marijuana and talk about memberships.
Future meetings might include a hot-wing eating contest, bingo and a
showing of the movie "Reefer Madness." Atkinson said that NORML
respects everyone's right to privacy and will not ask its members if
they smoke. Students can pay $25 to NORML and become a member of the
national organization.

"Marijuana will never become legal if people don't stick together on
the issue," Atkinson said. NORML's Web site is www.norml.org. The next
meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Candelaria 1220.