Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
GA: The University of West Georgia's first meeting of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws chapter met in Humanities on Feb. 11 to discuss options for changing current Georgia laws addressing marijuana.
NORML isn't a campus organization that collects dues. Rather, their focus is to hold benefits to collect money for the group's mission. The organization is dependant on participation in public events like town hall meetings, such as last week's visits from Congressman Phil Gingrey and US Senator Johnny Isakson.
Currently, Georgia laws offer no leniency for marijuana, possession or otherwise, although UWG's NORML chapter has been working to put Proposition 42 on the county ballot. The proposition is a potential ordinance for the city of Athens that would limit the penalty for the possession of a quarter-once of marijuana to a $100 fine.
UWG's NORML chapter is the only other college chapter in the state, and it began its crusade to gain attention for its cause during Congressman Gingrey's and Senator Isakson's recent visits.
According to Chapter President Tommy Miller, little ground was gained with Senator Isakson, because he was unable to gather a clear distinction between the industrial hemp that Miller proposed as an economic stimulant and the chemical THC, which is found elsewhere on the plant.
Miller wanted to stress more than just using hemp as a cash crop - he wanted the meeting's agenda to focus on the power of the vote.
"We want to have computers at every event to encourage voter registration," said Miller. "Voting is important."
NORML began their first meeting with information about marijuana and the perceived myths associated with it. Miller and Chapter Vice President Kayla Walker addressed the myths clearly.
"Students have shown that marijuana actually promoted brain-cell growth," Miller said. "And, unlike tobacco smoke, [it] doesn't cause cancer."
Walker addressed the belief that the use of marijuana acts as a "gateway" for harder drugs, including *******, *************** and ******.
"The 'gateway drug' thing is a myth," said Walker. "It's because [marijuana] is illegal. If your dealer is selling marijuana and also selling [*******] - that's what's going to cause the use of those drugs."
Of course, both sides of the legalization debate rest on these there issues, and anti-marijuana activists claim that these myths are fact.
Miller said that NORML members have a stake in ending the "stereotype of 'stoners' as lazy and useless to society," and that "grassroots movements are what get stuff done."
The organization plans to try new ways to garner attention to their cause. Some ideas presented to the crowd included benefit concerts supported by university professors, as well as a comedy night, movies and a "non-tainted" bake sale.
"You have to be active if you want to have change," said Walker.
NewsHawk: User: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: West Georgian, The (U of West Georgia, Edu)
Contact: The West Georgian - Letter to the Editor
Copyright: 2010 The West Georgian
Website: The West Georgian
Author: Kelly Quimby
NORML isn't a campus organization that collects dues. Rather, their focus is to hold benefits to collect money for the group's mission. The organization is dependant on participation in public events like town hall meetings, such as last week's visits from Congressman Phil Gingrey and US Senator Johnny Isakson.
Currently, Georgia laws offer no leniency for marijuana, possession or otherwise, although UWG's NORML chapter has been working to put Proposition 42 on the county ballot. The proposition is a potential ordinance for the city of Athens that would limit the penalty for the possession of a quarter-once of marijuana to a $100 fine.
UWG's NORML chapter is the only other college chapter in the state, and it began its crusade to gain attention for its cause during Congressman Gingrey's and Senator Isakson's recent visits.
According to Chapter President Tommy Miller, little ground was gained with Senator Isakson, because he was unable to gather a clear distinction between the industrial hemp that Miller proposed as an economic stimulant and the chemical THC, which is found elsewhere on the plant.
Miller wanted to stress more than just using hemp as a cash crop - he wanted the meeting's agenda to focus on the power of the vote.
"We want to have computers at every event to encourage voter registration," said Miller. "Voting is important."
NORML began their first meeting with information about marijuana and the perceived myths associated with it. Miller and Chapter Vice President Kayla Walker addressed the myths clearly.
"Students have shown that marijuana actually promoted brain-cell growth," Miller said. "And, unlike tobacco smoke, [it] doesn't cause cancer."
Walker addressed the belief that the use of marijuana acts as a "gateway" for harder drugs, including *******, *************** and ******.
"The 'gateway drug' thing is a myth," said Walker. "It's because [marijuana] is illegal. If your dealer is selling marijuana and also selling [*******] - that's what's going to cause the use of those drugs."
Of course, both sides of the legalization debate rest on these there issues, and anti-marijuana activists claim that these myths are fact.
Miller said that NORML members have a stake in ending the "stereotype of 'stoners' as lazy and useless to society," and that "grassroots movements are what get stuff done."
The organization plans to try new ways to garner attention to their cause. Some ideas presented to the crowd included benefit concerts supported by university professors, as well as a comedy night, movies and a "non-tainted" bake sale.
"You have to be active if you want to have change," said Walker.
NewsHawk: User: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: West Georgian, The (U of West Georgia, Edu)
Contact: The West Georgian - Letter to the Editor
Copyright: 2010 The West Georgian
Website: The West Georgian
Author: Kelly Quimby
