Pubdate: Wed, 30 Mar 2005
Source: Rocky Mountain Collegian, The (CO Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Rocky Mountain Collegian
Contact:  http://www.collegian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1370
Cited: SAFER ( www.saferchoice.org )
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Note: Title by newshawk

RIGHT PROBLEM, WRONG SOLUTION

SAFER is a new organization of marijuana activists that has been promoting
marijuana as an alternative to alcohol on the campuses of CSU and University
of Colorado - Boulder. The organization is currently trying to reduce the
penalties for marijuana use to the same penalties that underage drinkers
receive.

Mason Tvert, the executive director for SAFER, said that universities are
steering students toward alcohol by giving harsher penalties to those who
use marijuana.

The cause-and-effect relationship being proposed here is that students who
fear being caught for smoking marijuana are going to indefinitely turn to
alcohol. However, since the effects of the two substances are completely
different, marijuana users aren't necessarily going to turn to alcohol as a
substitution.

Making penalties for marijuana use and underage drinking equal would say
that they are equal in legality. Whether or not marijuana is healthier for
an individual isn't the issue, the issue is that it is illegal. Drinking is
only against the law if done by someone underage.

The flak that university administrators would receive, as well as the
already negative stigma that Colorado universities have attained in the past
year would increase if such a policy was adopted.

"There is obviously a problem and the school's policies are not working,"
Tvert said.

There is a problem, but the problem isn't be solved by making marijuana use
less punishable.