Pubdate: Wed, 19 Oct 2005
Source: Gainesville Sun, The (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The Gainesville Sun
Contact:  http://www.sunone.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/163
Author: Brittany A. Rajchel
Cited:  Marijuana Policy Project http://www.mpp.org
Cited: UF's chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws http://www.normluf.com/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

PRO POT GROUP PUSHES MARIJUANA REFORMS

Efforts to legalize marijuana and fight anti-cannabis federal
government initiatives are making slow progress, thanks to traditional
lobbying tactics and a concentrated effort in several states, said the
executive director of the largest marijuana reform policy organization
Tuesday evening.

"We're working to end marijuana prohibition so adults can use it
responsibly and not fear going to jail," said Rob Kampia, the
executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a nongovernmental
organization that lobbies in Washington, D.C., during a speech in the
Reitz Union Auditorium at the University of Florida.

Many of the successes in legalizing the drug have come by changing
laws against medical marijuana or plants grown and smoked by people
with painful illnesses under the supervision of a doctor, Kampia said.

Ten states have legalized the drug for patients who suffer from
illnesses like cancer or multiple sclerosis, he said.

However, changing marijuana laws also focuses on changing what Kampia
called the "regulation of general marijuana use" or the smoking of the
drug for recreational purposes.

"We use the word regulation and not legalization because otherwise it
makes people think we want to sell marijuana next to the candy in the
grocery store," he said.

Kampia recounted tales of people arrested for using marijuana
recreational, including his own. He spent three months in jail for
growing marijuana while he was a student at Pennsylvania State
University, he said.

Another anecdote Kampia brought up was a Gainesville incident where a
19-year-old student was raped by his cellmate - a violent offender -
while serving four weeks in jail for possession of marijuana.

"Marijuana really does result in people getting arrested. It really
does result in people dying, and it really does result in people
getting raped," but only because the federal government unnecessarily
prosecutes marijuana users, he said.

Some states, however, are working to legalize and tax responsible use
of marijuana, he said.

"Alaskans have a constitutional right to possess and use up to 4
ounces of marijuana in their home if they are over 21," he said,
causing the audience of more than 100 to cheer and two students to
shake a black-and-white poster emblazoned with Kampia's face.

He also told students how to initiate change in Florida. He urged
students to lobby their state representatives and senators before
January - the deadline for when legislatures must submit bills for
debate.

By working for pro-marijuana initiatives in each state, eventually the
federal government will be forced to legalize the drug, Kampia said.

Junior Erica Carlsson said she thought Kampia gave students good
resources to fight for pro-marijuana initiatives in Florida.

"Marijuana and Florida is just a scary combination," he
said.

Matt Jones, the co-founder of UF's chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, one of the sponsors of
the speech, said he felt Kampia stood as a professional example for
students who want to legalize marijuana.

"Marijuana reform is possible," Jones said. "It is not a pipe dream. I
think he showed that by succeeding in Washington, by wearing the suit
and tie and by his lobbying efforts."

Marijuana reform, however, still remains an uphill battle, Kampia
said, as the government spends $120 million to produce anti-cannabis
advertising.

The television commercials depicting teenagers "shooting each other
and running over little girls on pink bicycles while high on pot" are
paid for by the U.S. government, he said.

"The government likes prohibition," he said. "It's law enforcement job
protection. It keeps them in business. It keeps the courts clogged."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake