MARIJUANA ACTIVISTS RALLY FOR LEGAL RIGHTS

"In a nation of democracy and freedom, why can't I smoke pot if I want?"
said Brad Allen, secretary of RU Marijuana Supporters.

RUMS members held a rally supporting the political effort to legalize the
use of marijuana yesterday in front of Brower Commons on the College Avenue
campus.

Rutgers College junior Jennifer Mercado, RUMS president, said the rally was
not promoting the use of marijuana and was respectful of the fact that the
government has not yet legalized its usage. Rather, the rally was held to
educate the community and reverse the misinformation many people have
received from anti-pot institutes and the U.S government.

Recent anti-smoking government advertisements have shown images of the
worst-case scenario of marijuana abuse. RUMS members said they believe
these images can be misleading because they are unrealistic examples. The
group said it hopes the usage of marijuana will soon be equivalent to the
use of alcohol and cigarettes.

"I don't think smoking pot is wrong. If I'm going to smoke it, I'm going to
be smart about it and take precautions before I do it," said RUMS member
Randall Parker, a Livingston College first-year student.

Parker said the first step in legalizing marijuana is its decriminalization.

RUMS said as long as people make responsible choices and do not cause harm
to others, marijuana smoking is not negative. Group members said they are
aware of the consequences of marijuana abuse and believe in responsible
actions.

"My choice is what I choose to do. If I'm not causing you any harm, it
shouldn't bother you," said Allen, a Rutgers College first-year student.

The organization was started last year, with Mercado as one of its founding
members. "I realized that marijuana laws needed to be changed and that
people needed to be made aware of the misconceptions inherent to
marijuana," she said.

There are 10 official members, including the few who are not marijuana
smokers but are fighting for the legalization of the drug. "I think a lot
of people are scared of being associated with the 'pothead club.' But that
is not what we are. We are advocates for the reformation of marijuana
laws," Mercado said.