Pubdate: Sun, 14 Nov 2010
Source: Lantern, The (Ohio State U, OH Edu)
Copyright: 2010 The Lantern
Contact:  http://www.thelantern.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1214
Author: James Garcia

STUDENTS GATHER AT KENT STATE TO DISCUSS MARIJUANA POLICY

The country is thinking green, in more ways than one.

With the failure of Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana in 
California and the success of Proposition 203 to legalize medical 
marijuana in Arizona, 15 states have now adopted laws for medicinal marijuana.

Ohio Rep. Kenny Yuko was keynote speaker at the 2010 Midwest Regional 
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Conference at Kent State on 
Saturday. Yuko is responsible for introducing House Bill 478, in 
favor of legalization and regulation of medical marijuana, this year 
in Ohio's state legislature.

"We have viable opportunities to address health care needs and 
concerns without spending a small fortune on pharmaceutical 
products," Yuko said. "Medical marijuana that is first of all 
affordable, it is a natural product and something that is not 
addictive or habit-forming, like some of these other drugs are."

Howard Rahtz from Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group 
against the War on Drugs, spoke at the conference. His background as 
police captain in the Cincinnati Police Department and supervisor of 
multiple addiction programs, with a master's degree in rehabilitation 
counseling, has helped establish his view on drug policies.

"We ought to go ahead and legalize marijuana, put it in a regulated, 
controlled environment and tax the s--- out of it, and use that money 
to support some of the programs we all need," Rahtz said.

Although Rahtz favors decriminalizing certain drugs, he said he 
doesn't support criminal behavior.

"I'm all for legalization of marijuana and decriminalization of other 
drugs, but I don't want to legalize illegal drug sales," Rahtz said. 
"What I'd like to do, with the current situation, is take the product 
that's being operated by thugs and murderers ... and put that as part 
of the local economy."

Yuko said he wants to hear from those who disagree with his position 
on medical marijuana but also encourages them to consider the 
alternatives to the drug policy now.

"We listen to people's objections, to what people say, like, 'This 
product of yours that you're promoting could cause someone to drive 
erratically.' Well, so does alcohol when you think about it. So does 
some prescription drugs," Yuko said. "We've got the pharmaceutical 
industry making a small fortune off of people's miseries."

Michael Liszewski, a third-year at the University of the District of 
Columbia School of Law, spoke to SSDP chapter members about their 
rights when dealing with police in drug-related situations. He said 
cops will do anything, even lie, to intimidate people into giving up 
their rights.

"You don't have to speak to a police officer, really at any time," 
Liszewski said. "If you're under arrest, you have to give them your 
name, and if you're driving, you do have to produce your license when 
you're asked, but those are the only times when you have to identify yourself."

Both Liszewski and Rahtz said that, most often, police cannot arrest 
or search people for being in a "state of mind" unless they are 
breaking the law. And police can search people and their property 
only if there is a warrant, probable cause or consent to be searched.

"You always want to deny a search. You have to do it respectfully, 
.. but do not consent to searches," Liszewski said. "If they ask 
what's in your pocket or ask you to empty your pocket and you do 
that, you've waived all your rights."

Liszewski emphasized being respectful to police to avoid being arrested.

"Asserting your rights is all about surviving a police encounter with 
your life and liberty intact," Liszewski said. "Basically, don't be a 
douchebag. Remain cool and just stand your ground, that's all it is."

Liszewski said the biggest way to make sure police are respecting the 
rights of the people is to file complaints against officers who take 
advantage of drug laws. Rahtz and Liszewski gave a presentation that 
outlined the effects of the drug war in the United States and 
contended that decriminalization can decrease crime.

"We can make a difference in the lives of so many people, people that 
are depending on us, people in Ohio that deserve better, and all over 
this great country of ours," Yuko said. "Keep up the fight."

Ohio State is no longer involved in SSDP's fight, however.

In 1999, Sean Luse, who graduated in 2003 with a degree in political 
science, became the president of OSU's student chapter of SSDP, the 
first chapter in Ohio and one of the group's most active forces in 
the Midwest. But OSU's chapter is no longer active.

The group "is one of the largest and most organized of student 
movements that exist right now," Luse said. "It's kind of sad with 
Ohio State being such a big campus with so many students, and they 
don't have a very active chapter."

Luse said he hopes students will realize the legacy of the OSU 
chapter and start it up again to keep students informed about the drug war.

"This chapter has lost its steam, lost its way," Luse said. "But 
overall there's a lot more going on than there was 10 years ago, so 
hopefully it will come to Ohio State once again."
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