Pubdate: Wed, 20 Apr 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: Akari Iburi and Veronica Ritter, Senior Life Editor and 
Asst. Life Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)

MARY JANE'S MAKING MOVES

On a campus as big as UB, there's bound to be some marijuana use. UB 
NORML rallies supporters to clear the air on this hazy topic.

Students may not know that sometimes, marijuana is actually being 
used for medicinal purposes not just recreational. UB NORML (National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) is a club here at UB 
that recognizes the benefits of marijuana and wants to raise 
awareness about it.

UB NORML is a group of students who support the legalization of 
marijuana because of the social and economic benefits that it would provide.

Matt Kopalek, UB NORML founder and president, discovered the power of 
the plant after extensive lumbar spinal surgery left him in 
persistent pain during his years in high school. Kopalek relied on 
pharmaceutical pills to ease his suffering but found that they did 
not offer much relief.

"If it weren't for my physician being really open to discussing all 
solutions I probably wouldn't have found [marijuana] as a medicine," 
Kopalek said. "It's tough in this society because I don't think that 
all physicians will be open to talking about marijuana because it's 
illegal, even if they do think it's a better solution."

Kopalek created the club to raise discussion and awareness of the 
medicinal power behind the taboo plant. Marijuana helped Kopalek kick 
a three-year addiction to painkillers and encouraged him to find 
alternative sources for healing. UB NORML works to fight the stigma 
marijuana provokes and wishes to reduce the joking undertones to 
promote a serious discussion on the topic.

While there is a negative stereotype attached with marijuana usage, 
Kopalek credits the plant for essentially giving him his life back. 
Marijuana has given him a positive outlook on life, influencing him 
to participate in tai chi, breathing exercises, and acupuncture.

"Once I realized it's an amazing medicine, I couldn't not talk about 
it," Kopalek said. "The more I thought about it, the more it upset me 
how society is geared toward marijuana...I channeled my 
frustration...[turning] negative energy into some sort of social 
awareness and open discussion of marijuana at UB. I think the most 
important thing is that society feels free to talk about marijuana in 
a serious light."

Kopalek's vision has turned into UB NORML, which meets most Fridays 
in 250 Student Union.

The group argues for a change in the laws pertaining to marijuana. 
One argument is against the amount of money spent toward arrests, 
jailing, and other related charges.

"I advocate for full legalization," Kopalek said. "[If I'm] not 
advocating for full legalization, I'm advocating to keep a 
billion-dollar black market of criminals, thugs and cartels who are 
making money that our government should be making and using."

This waste of money inflicts a negative impact on the economy, 
because it means that less tax dollars are available to be spent on 
problems such as job creation, loans, and other issues that the U.S. 
is dealing with.

UB NORML will be celebrating its Second Annual Medicinal Marijuana 
and Hemp Awareness Day on April 20. Through this event, it hopes to 
educate students on the various benefits of legalizing marijuana.

The club will provide information on medical research and facts about 
the plant itself. There will also be local speakers who have been 
affected by prohibition that will share their stories.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake