Pubdate: Wed, 21 Apr 2010
Source: U Weekly (Ohio State U,  Columbus, OH, Edu)
Copyright: 2010 University Media Group
Contact: http://uweekly.com/about.php
Website: http://uweekly.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4175
Author: Kate Liebers

SMOKING OUT THE STIGMA

It's no secret that students smoke marijuana. Yet the stigma 
associated with the drug is such that even a head shop employee will 
deny that his customers use the glass bongs for anything besides 
tobacco or the incense for anything besides covering up the smell of 
cats.  They don't even want to hear why you're buying the detoxifying drinks.

"I am taking a test tomorrow, and I definitely smoked this morning," 
said one local customer inquiring about such detox products.

"I don't need to know any of that, man," said the employee, leading 
him to the cabinet of remedies. The same shelf displayed a weighted 
soda can with a removable lid, designed for stashing ... something.

While Columbus has a reputation for being a liberally minded 
community, the capital city does not necessarily match the sentiments 
of Ohio policymakers. This month, the legislature shot down a bill 
that would make Ohio the 15th state with legalized medical marijuana.

On the other hand, the Pew Research Center for the People and the 
Press revealed a broad public support for legalizing medical 
marijuana. The stigma associated with this drug remains a potent one, 
though, and many doubt state policy will change anytime soon.

"If it ever does get legalized here, Ohio will be the last," said 
senior Christa Christian.

However, just as advocates of legalized marijuana don't necessarily 
use the drug, not all drug users advocate the legalization of marijuana.

Freshmen Brody Fox said characterized himself as an "avid" user who 
has smoked marijuana daily user for about five years.

"It's a touchy subject," Fox said. "It is less dangerous to do than 
alcohol, but I can also definitely relate to where people do get 
lazy. My grades have been affected for sure."

Because he's a user, Fox said he'd lean towards legalizing marijuana. 
Yet he added that making the drug available to the public "would 
probably be very non-beneficial to society."

Fox, and others, make an exception for medical marijuana.

Junior Cory Kunkel, for example, said that marijuana should be 
legalized and controlled, and should be available medically as a painkiller.

"There are other legal [prescription] drugs out there that are 
probably worse than medical marijuana that can be abused," said Kunkel.

Christian suspected that even marijuana abuse might be reduced if the 
drug was made legal.

"I have a friend out in Colorado, where their laws are less stringent 
than ours, and he seems to act more responsible," Christian said. 
"[Legalizing marijuana] might reduce the risk here. People will do it 
more sensibly."

The taboo surrounding smoking pot was compared to underage drinking; 
take away the appeal of doing something forbidden, and theoretically, 
people will act more responsibly.

"But at the same time, there aren't really people out looking for 
it," said fifth year Justin DeBross of the local police.

"They're much more concerned with DUIs and underage drinking," 
DeBross continued. "That's probably more of a concern than people 
sitting in their apartments and, you know, watching TV for six hours."

"I've been caught twice smoking a joint on campus and I haven't 
gotten anything for it. [The police] just take the joint and don't 
even write me up," said Fox.

Fox does not seem to be an isolated case. Junior Madelyn Gruseck, 
among others, said that she had smelled marijuana in houses, at 
concerts and walking around campus.

"In our community it's really lenient," Gruseck said of marijuana law 
enforcement.

 From Comfest at Goodale Park to Hempfest on the South Oval, many 
locals have advocated for drug law reform.  Yet Ohio State 
University's own advocacy group - Students for Sensible Drug Policy - 
seem to be burning out.

No Plans for Hempfest 2010

Hempfest at Ohio State University is designed to promote awareness 
about the benefits of industrial hemp and advocate the legalization 
of growing hemp in the United States.

Vendors at previous events have sold clothing, paper and even food 
made from hemp products. While some legal marijuana advocates have 
show up, the event is largely about the part of the marijuana plant 
that cannot get you high.

Yet SSDP president Krystle Short has reported that Hempfest will 
"probably not happen for 2010."

"The last president left us with next to nothing to work with and a 
lot of fees from the 2008-2009 school year that were never taken care 
of, specifically security for the event by OSU police," Short said. 
"Our current treasurer tried to troubleshoot with the OSU, but 
without the money to put up front - that would have been reimbursed 
by OSU - and overdue balances owed from last Hempfest, we have next 
to nothing for this year."

Short also reported internal issues that hindered the group's ability 
to coordinate events. On top of that, she implied that the university 
has made it difficult for the group to continue.

"We honestly feel like we are consistently hitting a wall with OSU 
over SSDP and Hempfest, and it has become discouraging very fast," said Short.

If the group felt unfairly treated, Bob Fitrakis said he's available 
to protect any compromised First Amendment rights. Fitrakis is the 
editor and publisher of The Free Press, which has been a 
long-standing sponsor of Hempfest. Also an OSU law graduate, Fitrakis 
has represented the students in court when SSDP felt discriminated 
against by the university policy in the past.

"The purpose of the festival is to inform. It's not a call to get 
people to show up and smoke dope. It's to allow people to advocate 
for the industrial use of hemp," said Fitrakis.

According to assistant director at the Ohio Union and Buckeye Network 
Coordinator Eve Esch, the university has reached out to SSDP, but has 
still not received any request to use the Oval for Hempfest. Esch 
said that fees as assessed would be based on what equipment the event 
requires, yet there is no charge for simply using the space. If 
damage was done, however, the group would be expected to pay it.

"[SSDP] still owes some fees for last year's event," said Esch, 
referring to previous damages. "We wouldn't want to let a group rack 
up charges without paying ...  We're trying to contact them so they 
can be in good standing and follow the same procedures as the other 
900 student organizations."

Esch added that she suspected the SSDP's information was out of date, 
since the president currently listed is a male.

Although Fitrakis said he would represented SSDP if the group was 
treated unfairly, Short said SSDP was not planning to take legal 
action against the university. 
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