UF GROUP ADVOCATES MARIJUANA USE

A new student organization working to be a recognized chapter of a national
marijuana legalization group campaigned Monday on the Reitz Union Colonnade
to recruit members.

The group is working to become Florida's newest chapter of The National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

NORML is the oldest and largest marijuana legalization organization in the
country, a nonprofit advocacy group funded by donations and membership
fees, which lobbies state and federal legislators to legalize marijuana.

Thirty-seven states have at least one NORML chapter and Florida boasts
seven, including one at the University of Central Florida, University of
West Florida, University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida
State universities.

Josh Manning, president of UF's soon-to-be official chapter, said The Swamp
is next.

"We're trying to raise public awareness to the point where [the public] see
that smoking marijuana is a normal thing," Manning said. "So that if
legislation in our favor comes at the local or state level, there will be
enough support to approve it."

Manning said the group is about 100 students strong and about 75 more
expressed interest Monday.

He said now that UF has a NORML organization, he can submit paperwork to
the national NORML office to make the group an official chapter.

"We want to put on awareness events and be active in local government
first," Manning said, adding that there are issues on campus demanding
attention, such as smoking marijuana in dorm rooms.

"You're breaking the law just as much if you're drinking in the dorms,"
Manning said.

"And you can lose your financial aid if you're caught with marijuana."

Politics aside, Manning said the group will have fun events too, including
a "Progressive Pow Wow" campout with NORML chapters at UCF, FSU and FAU at
the Suwannee River Music Park and Campground in December.

He said the group plans to bring more guest speakers, similar to Accent's
"Great Debate" with Steven Hager, editor of High Times magazine since 1988,
and Robert Stutman, former New York Drug Enforcement Agency chief.

Manning said some people did not agree with the group's efforts Monday and
said their group had no potential.

"I try to just talk to them, let them know what we're about and some just
walk away," Manning said. "But most people don't have a problem with a
responsible adult smoking marijuana in the privacy of their own home."

The Florida NORML Web site claims the state's top three cash crops are
oranges, marijuana and sugarcane, respectively and lists the NORML
platform: Smoking marijuana responsibly is OK in a proper setting,
respecting others, but not for children, not while driving and not in an
abusive manner.

Treasurer Matt Jones said he and Manning were friends before they decided
to start the chapter and said his commitment to the project runs deep.
"It's an issue I really believe in," Jones said.

"I believe in personal rights and as long as they're not hurting anyone I
believe that people should have the right to smoke marijuana."

Jones said new members of the chapter pay $10 dues to be members at the
national level.

The usual price is $25, but the national office is allowing the fledgling
chapter to keep the money.

Jones said they will use the money to promote the club and pass out
informational pamphlets and fact sheets with hard numbers showing support
for the movement.

Manning said the group will put up a Web site in January, when they likely
will be made an official chapter, but until then, students can check out
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/normlflorida or come to the first meeting
Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. in Reitz Union Room 282.