GROUP RALLIES TO PUSH FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws staged a rally
in support of legalizing marijuana Saturday on the State House grounds. The
rally, which began at 4:20 p.m., was one of many put on recently by the group.

NORML rallies to educate the public about marijuana.

"Our main goal is to educate the public so that legislatures will speak out
about it," said Tracy Wagoner, a member of NORML's Midlands chapter.

NORML members said legalizing marijuana could economically benefit South
Carolina's farmers and its industry, which would develop to process the
hemp into fiber and seed products. Furthermore, they said, marijuana has a
6,000-year history of medicinal benefits.

Marijuana is on the banned substances list for the United States, making it
illegal to grow or possess the Cannabis sativa L. plant for any purpose.

"Marijuana laws in the United States are based on lies," Wagoner said.
"Taking out and raiding head shops promotes the lies that marijuana laws
are based on."

Henry Koch, president of the Midlands Chapter of NORML, wrote in a news
release that "the prohibition and war against recreational users of
marijuana" is "wasting billions of taxpayer dollars and destroying the
lives of millions of productive, law-abiding citizens."

Koch wrote that compared to tobacco, which is responsible for 430,000
deaths per year, and alcohol, with 110,000 deaths per year, "marijuana has
never killed anyone."

NORML doesn't advocate the absolute elimination of all marijuana laws.
"NORML promotes responsible use of marijuana," Wagoner said.

For instance, Wagoner said, no one should be able to operate a vehicle
under the influence of marijuana, just as is the case with alcohol.

"It should definitely be regulated and controlled," Wagoner said.