Pubdate: Fri, 7 Jan 2011
Source: Spectrum, The (SUNY At Buffalo, NY Edu)
Copyright: 2011 The Spectrum Student Periodical, Inc
Contact: http://www.ubspectrum.com/contact-us
Website: http://www.ubspectrum.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3958
Authors: Tahsin Chowdhury, Lusana Masrur, Staff Writers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/NORML
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Marijuana+Legalization

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION: THE NORML PERSPECTIVE

Last year, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 
16.7 million Americans aged 12 or older used marijuana at least once 
in the month prior to being surveyed. Despite the frequent use of the 
drug, it remains a Schedule I illegal drug in America.

The UB chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws (NORML) works to dispel the propaganda and 
misinformation regarding marijuana and hemp. In addition, UB NORML 
also takes a stance on the legalization of the drug.

"[Legalization] could be very different depending on what your 
definition of legalization is," said Matthew Kopalek, a senior in the 
school of management and president of the UB chapter of the National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). "It could 
entail very strict regulation... most people [think legalization of 
marijuana] means no rules or structure."

However, legalization has numerous benefits and drawbacks, many of 
which center around financial issues. According to statistics, more 
than 870,000 U.S. citizens were arrested in 2007 on cannabis-related 
charges, amounting to more than $17 billion tax dollars per year 
toward the persecution of mostly non-violent marijuana users.

The most common cited drawback is the public image of our country 
having legalized marijuana, according to Kopalek.

"The benefits, though, are proper education of our youth on the 
dangers of marijuana, the societal impact, not arresting the 
non-violent users of the drug," Kopalek said. "Those are the people 
who choose a safer alternative to alcohol."

Marijuana has proven to be less toxic and addictive than alcohol, as 
long-term marijuana use is far less damaging and lethal than 
long-term alcohol consumption. The consumption of alcohol leads to 
aggressive behavior and violence, whereas marijuana reduces the 
likelihood of both.

Due to the designation of marijuana as illegal, the growing and 
selling of the plant is largely unregulated. This leads to the 
"lacing" of marijuana with other substances, which could include 
other drugs, toxins, or impurities. However, if marijuana were 
legalized, the federal government could potentially have more 
influence over the purity of the substance and thus, fully 
investigate its potential medicinal uses.

"There's so much good that could come out of the very simple act of 
legalizing. You get medical cases, you get studies [showing] it can 
help people who are going through chemotherapy who want to eat and 
survive," said Elyse Brown, a senior history major and UB NORML 
member. "It's a shame that we don't allow it to be used for the good 
it can be used for."

However, influential pharmaceutical corporations may also oppose the 
legalization of marijuana. There are issues patenting a plant, as it 
isn't a substance manufactured by the company. If the company were to 
attempt to create a marijuana substitute, the innumerable number of 
chemicals found in the plant lead to difficulties in creating a 
medicine that accurately replicates its effects.

"Why would leading pharmaceutical companies want people to grow a 
plant in their backyard that could replace the drugs that they're 
selling?" Kopalek asked.

However, for many other club members, the issue is much larger than 
legislation or pharmaceutical patent issues. The problems stem from a 
widespread misunderstanding about marijuana and the media's ploy to 
sway public opinion.

"There is a major problem with the war on drugs and drugs in 
general," said Colin Knoer, a sophomore political science major and 
UB NORML treasurer. "When the government talks about the war on 
drugs, many people don't listen anymore because it's just 'Above the 
Influence' commercials on TV telling you you're going to smoke pot, 
sink into your couch and never talk to your [family or friends] ever 
again in your life."

During this upcoming semester, UB NORML plans to bring in a lawyer 
who has been focusing on marijuana laws in New York State for over 30 
years to discuss what a transition period into legalization would 
look like for the U.S. and New York. On April 20, the club also plans 
on holding a cannabis cultural celebration at Baird Point with live 
music, food, and education materials.

For more information, attend a weekly club meeting, held every Friday 
at 6 p.m. in 250 Student Union.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake