Pubdate: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 Source: FSView & Florida Flambeau (US FL) Copyright: 2001 FSView & Florida Flambeau Contact: http://www.fsunews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1364 Author: Claes Bell FLORIDA STATE U. STUDENTS HELP LEAD THE WEED CRUSADE (U-WIRE) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Millions of Americans have smoked marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, despite its illegality. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws hopes to end marijuana prohibition and is getting help from students on campuses all over the country, including Floriday State University. NORML was founded in 1970 and has since become the principle advocate for marijuana decriminalization in the country. Throughout its 30-year history, the organization has relied on college students for support and manpower. "There are around 35 NORML chapters on U.S. campuses," said Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the NORML Foundation. Since NORML's founding, marijuana legalization for both medicinal and recreational use has become an important political issue. Last year over 700,000 people were arrested for marijuana possession in the U.S., according to the national NORML website. This mass incarceration of nonviolent drug offenders and the cost it incurs have brought the marijuana legalization debate to the forefront. Marijuana legalization initiatives have appeared in several states, including California and Arizona as reported by the ACLU. Politicians, however, have been reluctant to embrace decriminalization for many different reasons. "NORML isn't going to get pot legalized anytime soon," senior John Whitney said. "There hasn't been enough long-term research." The FSU chapter of NORML is an active campus organization with a significant following and strong leadership. According to FSU NORML head Chris Mulligan, the group has over 500 students on its mailing list and an attendance rate of about 200 students at its major events. Because of rules governing student organizations, NORML largely limits its activities to educating students. Through petitioning, protesting and circulating pro-legalization literature, the group has worked hard to change minds among Florida officials and FSU students. "I think they're very active on campus," junior Robert Raymond said. "I've seen them around a lot." However, the group acknowledges that it has a long way to go in its quest for marijuana legalization. There are four levels of drug classification in the United States. Each classification measures the potential for medical use, the potential for abuse and any other safety problems. The highest level of classification is Schedule I. The Drug Enforcement Agency has classified marijuana as Schedule I. According to the DEA's website, this means that the drug has a higher potential for abuse, the drug has no currently accepted medical uses as a treatment in the United States and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. LSD, heroin and cocaine are also classified as Schedule I drugs. Enforcement of marijuana laws has beefed up recently, according to the NORML website. According to the group, years of government misinformation and persecution surrounding marijuana use has led to an adverse image of the drug among some Florida voters. "I don't think (legislators) will legalize it because it would be the gateway to the legalization of all drugs," sophomore Neil Potter said. While obstacles like an anti-marijuana media bias and a lack of support among politicians hamper legalization, NORML remains confident about the demise of federal marijuana prohibition. The group claims that upwards of 70 percent of FSU students favor decriminalization, at least for medicinal purposes. This is consistent with a 1998 CNN poll which showed 96 percent of Americans favored medicinal marijuana legalization. "I think it will eventually be legal for personal use," sophomore Kirsten Dahlquist said. "Granted, there will be binge users as with alcohol, but just like alcohol it shouldn't be illegal." Still, St. Pierre refuses to put a concrete date on when this will happen. Support for decriminalization has ebbed and flowed frequently since the group's formation. However, it is more committed to its goals, despite this constant shift in the political climate. "I think legalization is inevitable, because I know there are people who have dedicated their lives to this cause," graduate student Toni Latino said. - --- MAP posted-by: Andrew