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UNT students march for marijuana legalization

By Managing-Editor on October 25, 2010

By Adam Blaylock / Senior Staff Writer –

Student supporters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws heated up the sidewalks of UNT as they marched with signs and chanted in loud voices.

About 40 students, some in Halloween costumes, gathered at 2 p.m. Monday at the University Union then wound through UNT on a circular route in an event they called the Happy Halloweed NORML Awareness March.

The students shouted, “We mean green!” and “Pass the vote and the joint!” in unison as they marched past the Library Mall fountains.

Video by Katia Villalba / Multimedia Editor

Many of the students held up colorful signs with words like “Don’t be spooked by weed” and “Yes we cannabis.”

Erin Long, the president of the UNT chapter of NORML, said the group wanted to do something different to raise awareness.

“We just wanted to do something bigger that people could have fun at,” she said.

The group’s intent is to reduce the harms associated with smoking marijuana and educate the ignorant, said Larry Talley, the director of Dallas-Fort Worth NORML and UNT staff Sharepoint architect.

Talley came to show his support but would not participate in the march, he said.

“I’m hoping we can make a change here in North Texas,” Talley said.

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have laws allowing the medical use of marijuana, according to the national NORML website. Another 13 states, some of those with medical marijuana laws, have decriminalized marijuana.

The marchers received support from student bystanders as they marched through campus. Some students waved at them and shouted encouragements. Others shook their fists in the air and smiled.

Chad Gouge, a 39-year-old Fort Worth resident and assistant director for Dallas-Fort Worth NORML, said the chapter was there to support the UNT chapter with anything it might need.

“All they have to do is ask, and if it’s in our power we’ll do it,” Gouge said.

Gouge, who said he had just returned from a NORML conference in Oregon, said the difference in marijuana tolerance between Texas and Oregon was noticeable.

America has 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of its prison population, Gouge said.

“And we’re supposed to be a free country?” he said.

Not all of the students the group marched past approved of NORML’s cause, however.

“Marijuana is illegal for a reason!” shouted one student who walked by.

A supporter offered the disapproving student an information packet on NORML, but the student declined.

Another student, Molly Deramus, a history junior, said legalizing marijuana might not have the effect the NORML marchers want.

“I’ve been in California, and it’s gonna be abused,” she said. “Yeah, it’ll get rid of crime, but the drugs — it needs to be monitored. I’m [older]. These are just kids.”

One student participant, kinesiology sophomore Harley Barlow, was dressed in a full body skin-tight Green Man suit, a character from the TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

Barlow said he got involved with the group for the camaraderie with other students interested in the cause, and he wants to dispel some of the stereotypes associated with the group.

“I’m just glad there’s a group of people with like-minded interests,” he said. “We’re not just a bunch of potheads.”

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100 Comments

will

October 26, 2010 at 6:27 am

Awesome march! I didn’t expect to get as much support from everyone as we did. I wish we had things like this more often, I had a blast!

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James

October 26, 2010 at 6:51 am

One the drug is illegal for a reason, and two…I found it interesting that they yelled “It does NOT make you want to commit suicide” when that is EXACTLY what happened when I smoked it. The chemicals in the marijuana caused a chemical imbalance that actually pushed me further into depression than I already was. Maybe that should do COMPLETE research and realize that not everyone’s bodies are the same, some are affected adversely by this and all drugs which is exactly the reason it is illegal.

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Realisticly-Surreal

October 26, 2010 at 7:14 am

So we have one weak-minded individual that has summarily concluded because something isn’t right FOR HIM that EVERYONE ELSE should be prohibited? Sounds more like bitter-grapes than sound-considerate-social-responsibility! The research HAS been done! And it has exposed the 1940s junk-science prensented when these Reefer-Madness laws were passed! Keep it up UNT NORML…YOU GUYS ROCK!

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Nico Rose

October 26, 2010 at 7:37 am

The march was amazing! You guys are really doing a great job and drawing in so much attention already and your group is only 3 weeks old!!! It really is unbelievable how much you guys have already accomplished! I really like the slogan “I’m a stoner, what’s your point!?”. I also love that in the article the student that said it is illegal for a reason denied the information pamphlet. They just denied being given information on a plant that they know nothing about past the governments laws. Good job guys! You really are going to change this campus!!

Hey James,
What is the reason it is illegal.. since you seem to know but won’t say. Also, you were depressed before you smoked marijuana. You said ‘it actually pushed me further into depression’ implying that you were in fact already depressed. Do you think marijuana is some magical plant that is going to make all of your sad memories suddenly go away? I am someone who suffers from severe depression and has been on suicidal watch in fact. I have been on pills which messed with my sex drive and my ability to be in tune with my everyday surroundings. They also killed my appetite and made me how you say ‘numb’. I smoke to help with my depression (hungry, happy, sleepy) and it really has saved me but I am also someone who has undergone theorapy and discussed this with doctors.. the main reason I probably got better. I gaurantee if I did not find marijuana however for the times at home when a doctor was not around to talk to, a safe organic substance, that I would be dead as of right now by my own hands.

What ‘chemical imbalance’ did you under go and did you go to the doctor to get help for your depression? If you were depressed.. doesn’t that mean by psuedo science that your brain was already chemically imbalanced? Also, if you are depressed and do not get help and instead try and self medicate of course your depression is going to get worse; no matter what ‘drug’ you were using. Even if you’re depressed and you don’t for example ‘smoke pot’ but also don’t get help either, your depression is still going to get worse. I’m sure the same thing could be said of caffiene, alcohol, cigarettes, junk food.. setting off a ‘chemical imbalance’ in your brain and causing your depression to get worse because you didn’t go get help! If you are depressed enough to the point to where you want to commit suicide nothing is going to help you but getting help from other people, do not try and self medicate if you are that close to killing yourself! That was where you went wrong. Do not blame your issues and your ‘great idea’ to self medicate on such a beneficial plant that has been proven to help millions already.

On a side note, if you want to feel better about yourself James, by using marijuana.. stop smoking swag.

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Byron

October 26, 2010 at 7:46 am

James, respectfully, were you suffering from depression before you smoked marijuana? Oh and do you know what those reasons are that marijuana is illegal? Google it and see if you can find a serious argument..

Thank you so much to all those who attended the march!

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Betty

October 26, 2010 at 7:55 am

Nico, I agree with you. I was extremely clinically depressed at one time too. Marijuana, as well as seeing a therapist and talking about my problems with people who would just listen, actually helped me out of my depression.
I think the point UNT NORML is trying to get across is that it is not for everyone, but it shouldn’t be a crime!
Especially here at UNT where we have a rehabilitation center that UNT students pay for that isn’t being used to its full potential. Instead of arresting students who are here to better themselves with an education, we should use the rehabilitation center to educate the ignorant and provide students with counselors who are there to listen and help. We shouldn’t immediately kick them out of the dorms and label them a criminal for a first marijuana offense.

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Rodney

October 26, 2010 at 8:21 am

Although one of the recurring chants (especially on my part) was “smoke weed everyday!” the march’s primary focus was to denounce the federal condemnation of an organism beneficial on so many levels. We don’t simply want marijuana legalized so we can get high. The medical as well as the economic benefits of marijuana/cannabis/hemp far outweighs its recreational value. Getting high is great, that’s a given, but its not for everybody, however the benefit of regulated incorporation of this increasingly abundant organism is for people from all walks of life. If you legalize it, America takes a huge step in solving some of its heaviest economic and medical discrepancies.
Educate yourselves.

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Racheal

October 26, 2010 at 8:24 am

I’m so glad you guys are already making a difference on UNT campus! I wish I could have been at the march.

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Evelyn Green

October 26, 2010 at 8:26 am

It is not that Talley and Gouge would not participate, they just couldn’t because they arn’t students. They would have been more then happy to if they could have!

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Justin

October 26, 2010 at 8:33 am

This is great! Keep it up

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Imran Hossain

October 26, 2010 at 8:36 am

I had class during this march, wish i could have been there! I’ve been to all the NORML meetings so far, and I really believe that we can make a difference in the unjust rules at school. I’m glad there is finally a group that spreads awareness instead of propaganda.

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Alabama Compassionate Care

October 26, 2010 at 8:41 am

Great work Texas!!

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Hannah

October 26, 2010 at 8:43 am

This is amazing, and I’m really proud of what my fellow students are doing to get the voices of so many of us heard. This exactly what this campus needs, and hopefully through these efforts we can bring about the change we have so long awaited. We mean Green, UNT!

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Orion

October 26, 2010 at 8:44 am

I agree with James. I have seen many people who have smoked MJ and then gone down the path to further drugs. And it’s not because of the ‘gateway drug’ mentality, it’s due to the fact that suppliers (or dealers) start off selling MJ. then they find that these other drugs will get them twice or 3x the profit for a smaller amount of it! So they start offering it to their clients…and that’s how people I know got into further drugs. The reason it is illegal is because it is grown by people who are known, in many areas, as crime lords. Why are they known like this? It certainly couldn’t be because they use their influence and weapons to bully people into doing their bidding. And we want these growers to be legalized in the U.S. why? So they can do the same here as they’ve done in a lot ofthe african countries?

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Chills

October 26, 2010 at 8:45 am

I give props to Erin Long for bringing back the UNT NORMAL Chapter and showing support for a good cause! Keep up the good work! YES on prop 19, NO on prop 23!

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RyanS

October 26, 2010 at 8:45 am

I’d bet there’s four former college students cooking down from the heavens and giving this group thumbs-up!

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RyanS

October 26, 2010 at 8:47 am

I’d bet there’s four former college students cooking down from the heavens and giving you guys thumbs-up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI7-m919ynU&feature=related

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Eirca

October 26, 2010 at 8:48 am

What a great way to demonstrate that smoking weed doesn’t make people just sit around on the couch and munch down on some delicious snacks. It can get people passionate about a cause that isn’t fully understood in this country. Making marijuana legal doesn’t mean you are required to smoke it. It if doesn’t float your boat, don’t judge those whose boat it does float. Giving people the freedom to choose a holistic remedy over a pharmaceutical one, or a less debilitating less addictive pastime over a one that can be potentially fatal is something that is worth marching for! Keep up the great work. Even if we don’t see legislation turned over in the near future, keeping the public aware is a great stepping stone!

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Byron

October 26, 2010 at 8:58 am

@Orion,

you are obviously aware of some of the problems with marijuana being sold on the black market but I’m afraid you haven’t gotten the point. You are correct in our assertions of how the real gateway effect works and you are correct that cartels and drug lords use force as means of controlling the market but if we only lift marijuana out of the shadows we wont have dealers pushing harder substances or cartels growing marijuana because they wont be able to compete or profit in a commercialized market. We saw the same things happen with alcohol prohibition but when was the last time you saw moonshine in a jug or heard of anyone mass producing alcohol without license?

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Bella Grace

October 26, 2010 at 9:01 am

The reason it is illegal is because it is grown by people who are known, in many areas, as crime lords. Why are they known like this? It certainly couldn’t be because they use their influence and weapons to bully people into doing their bidding. And we want these growers to be legalized in the U.S. why? So they can do the same here as they’ve done in a lot ofthe african countries?

Oh Orion, where do I start? You’re right though, drug dealers are the gateway drug, not marijuana but you talk like those ‘people’ had no choice but to buy those drugs. There are dealers who just sell marijuana and do not care for profit. There are growers who just grow it and give it away to people, not making a profit off of it what so ever. Be careful not to generalize. However, if we legalized it, then people whouldn’t go to drug dealers as you have brought up. They would go to safe marijuana dispensary where educated workers are present and they will not hold the risk of having a gun held to their head (unlike with the black market) unless the DEA decides to raid the dispensary while that person is there. We do want to take the power out of the drug dealers hands and by legalizing marijuana we’ll do just that. You want to fight the cartels? Legalize marijuana. SO, there’s the response to that issue that you so cleverly brought up.

Those crime lords came about because it was made illegal. If it was legal then they would have nothing to make a profit off of since it would be in the governments hands. It was legal at one point, it was actually illegal for a person to NOT grow hemp. When it became illegal, just like with alcohol it increased crime. Al Capone is one prime example of the fact that prohibition produces criminals. How do you legalize a ‘grower’? Also, in terms of Africa, marijuana is something that has been a part of their culture and there are actually archeological digs where a female giving birth was found to have taken a marijuana capsule in order to relieve birthing pains (you can find this article in the UNT library cataloug) and if you want to talk about the black market in terms of Africa, maybe you should look into human trafficking. An issue that truly is effecting Africa, unlike marijuana growers.

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David

October 26, 2010 at 9:10 am

Myth: Marijuana Causes Crime. Marijuana users commit more property offenses than nonusers. Under the influence of marijuana, people become irrational, aggressive, and violent.

Fact: Every serious scholar and government commission examining the relationship between marijuana use and crime has reached the same conclusion: marijuana does not cause crime. The vast majority of marijuana users do not commit crimes other than the crime of possessing marijuana. Among marijuana users who do commit crimes, marijuana plays no causal role. Almost all human and animal studies show that marijuana decreases rather than increases aggression.

•Fagan, J., et al. “Delinquency and Substance Use Among Inner-City Students.” Journal of Drug Issues 20 (1990): 351-402.
•Johnson, L.D., et al. “Drugs and Delinquency: A Search for Causal Connections.” Ed. D.B. Kandel. Longitudinal Research on Drug Use: Empirical Findings and Methodological Issues. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1978. 137-156.
•Goode, E. “Marijuana and Crime.” Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding, Appendix I. National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1972. 447-453.
•Abram, K.M. and L.A. Teplin. “Drug Disorder, Mental Illness, and Violence.” Drugs and Violence: Causes, Correlates, and Consequences. Rockville: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1990. 222-238.
•Cherek, D.R., et al. “Acute Effects of Marijuana Smoking on Aggressive, Escape and Point-Maintained Responding of Male Drug Users.” Psychopharmacology 111 (1993): 163-168.
•Tinklenberg, J.R., et al. “Drugs and criminal assaults by adolescents: A Replication Study.” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 13 (1981): 277-287.

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Funky

October 26, 2010 at 9:20 am

As evidenced by a few of these comments, there remains much work to do regarding educating the ignorant. Dispelling misinformation and myths should be the top priority… once people get their facts straight will the movement gain momentum. Depression? Cartels? Drug Lords? Marijuana from abroad? Are you people serious?!?

Great work UNT NORML, keep it up.

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Ian

October 26, 2010 at 9:25 am

@Molly Deramus

I live in California, San Francisco to be exact. The only reason the system seems abused is because it is a medical program. It shouldn’t be illegal in first place and this “Abuse” is just what happens when you push someone’s back against the wall. Those who oppose Prop 19, especially those in other states, have demonstrated themselves to be tragically misinformed.

P.S. If your wondering why I care about your march in Texas, I lived here for 15 years, Denton for 5. I was arrested for peacefully smoking in my own backyard. It is people like you that create criminals out of people like me.

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Alex Christiansen

October 26, 2010 at 9:27 am

Nice way to steal away some attention for the group. It’s high time (get it?) for the marijuana laws to be reconsidered. Rather than have your money go towards strengthening the black market or some shady dealer, it could be used to boost our economy through the regulation of sale. Even if pot isn’t ‘your thing’, it’s hard to argue the double standard that tobacco and alcohol are legal substances but far more dangerous and health hazardous for the human body.

Marijuana is only a gateway drug if you let it become one. Anyone who goes on to experiment with other drugs only did so because they had a curiosity about them in the first place. Weed didn’t “make them” do it, it was a choice.

Marijuana does not cause crime. Have you EVER heard of anyone getting stoned and then robbing a bank? Or stealing a car? I never have. The biggest crime I’ve ever seen being committed is getting high and then ordering that supreme extra-large, extra cheese pizza that you told yourself you would not do!

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Nicole Kidd

October 26, 2010 at 9:31 am

We really appreciated everyone’s support yesterday! My favorite part was definitely the old lady that saw us and fist pumped in our direction. Awesome. Also all the people that saw us walking by, and decided to stop what they were doing and join us. I can’t wait to see if we out grow our room next week!

Anyone opposing us, I hope you can open up your minds and see our point. We are NOT trying to tell people to break the law and smoke marijuana. We are NOT trying to form a group of stoners to sit on couches all day. We are trying to change this unjust law on a natural, safe plant that has so many uses (medicinal, recreational, fiber, oil, etc). Our first step is naturally local, our university. This is a place we have all chosen to come to for education and to better ourselves and our future. I personally find it very hard to want to continue going to a school which thinks they should kick a student out for a small, user amount of marijuana. GIVE THEM A WARNING, like you do with alcohol, and refer them to a class. Use the rehabilitation clinic and REDUCE THE HARM. Don’t ruin these students life over a first offense. I can understand if they have an ounce in the dorms and are selling, to kick them out. But a small user amount? What is the point in that?

I’m glad we proved some stereotypes wrong yesterday and got off our couches (:

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Michelle Jones

October 26, 2010 at 9:37 am

“Off of the couches and into the streets, we’re here to legalize weed!”

Congrats UNT NORML with all of your future success!

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JeffB

October 26, 2010 at 9:46 am

Keep up the good work guys! The general public needs to be educated on the effects and to get some perspective on the shady politics behind the initial push to make it illegal in the first place. The taxes that could come from a regulated and controlled market would be an amazing boost to our economy as well.

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Eric

October 26, 2010 at 9:54 am

I’m so glad that someone is making such a a huge difference on this campus.

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Joshua

October 26, 2010 at 9:54 am

Being a marijuana user does not make you a drug dealer. Marijuana is not a ‘gateway drug’ so much by virtue of the plant itself, but through its association with other illegal substances. Our legal system (not our medical system, mind you) lumps marijuana with a plethora of other substances: alkaloids like cocaine, opioids, and hallucinogens like DMT. Other black market drugs can yield a much higher profit for much less of the substance. The reason people sell, purchase, and use them, when they once only dabbled in selling marijuana, is due to the blurry division our system makes between marijuana and other substances which have no relation outside of simply being psychoactive drugs. That’s exactly what NORML is fighting to change: opening eyes to the injustice of marijuana being stuck under the umbrella-term of ‘illegal substance’, despite its many beneficial uses.

Crime lords grow it because it’s illegal, not the other way around. The power people can get from utilizing the black market is exactly how criminals can become ‘lords’.

You’re not going to find anybody saying they want to give legal permission for people to bully and coerce through fear and violence, except people who already have the capacity to do so. Growing marijuana does not make you a drug kingpin,nor does it make you a bully. Many people want marijuana, even though it is illegal. The legality of a substance does not halt supply and demand. Having it illegal, despite its insatiable and universal demand, makes it all too easy for somebody who is willing to bully and coerce through fear and violence to use it as a profitable enterprise. Marijuana just becomes a commodity- not a medicine, or a recreational substance.

I had a blast being out and marching yesterday, and the energy in our group was amazing. Shouting all the slogans and statistics felt like being able to shave off some of the stress of living under the unjust laws we’re trying to change. If the attention we brought upon ourselves opened at least some eyes and ears to our cause, perfect. However, even if every last person on campus was unfazed by us, I believe our march was still worthwhile as an avenue for NORML to rally together in unity. I’m happy to be involved.

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Dillon

October 26, 2010 at 10:27 am

I think it’s most disturbing that, at the federal and university level, drug offenses carry more weight than any other felony. There are no disqualifications on the FAFSA except for drug-related charges. No mention of violence at all! This same insanity can be seen at UNT: if you’re caught with drugs in the on-campus residences, you’re removed. I’m not exactly certain, but I doubt DUIs, violent convictions, and most other criminal charges would be seen the same ways at drugs.

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David Sloane - Attorney

October 26, 2010 at 11:22 am

Broken down doors; stun-grenades; physical abuse; holding guns to people heads, etc. Yea, I’d say there’s one group for sure that Marijuana makes act like a bunch of hoodlums and thugs: The police!

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Orion

October 26, 2010 at 11:28 am

If we lift the ban on marijuana you are right, dealers will not be able to sell it because the private and public markets will take over where the black market on MJ stood…but that will not push dealers out of business and will not take care of the problem of the dealers who DID sell MJ being pushed into other drugs because there is still a black market for them. If you start lowering the bar then at what point does it stop? Cigarettes are already legalized and we see how many problems there are (between lobyists and the sick and dying). I agree that MJ IS better for you physically than cigarettes but if we lower the bar and legalize then when does it stop? At what point do we wake up and have a choice of Meth, MJ, or Needles and have new drugs being invented just to keep the black market going? I am not concerned with the impact to individuals but with the impact to society as a whole. There is a greater Opportunity Cost to legalize at this moment than there is to not. When the opportunity costs shift and we are able to stop the flow of drugs into this country THEN we should consider legalizing american-grown MJ but not before, as currently we have no idea what or who our money is funding.

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 12:12 pm

Orion… your logic is soooo backwards. You are concerned with the impact to society as a whole… so instead of legalizing and regulating you would have a substance which you admit being LESS harmful than some which are currently legal remain on the black market in the hands of criminals who profit and grow stronger and more violent because you are afraid of the flow of other drugs… where to begin with this flawed logic??? We currently have no idea what or who our money is funding BECAUSE it is in the black market!!!! Businesses would be licensed as liquor and tobacco sales currently are, localities would have control over their own taxation and sales just as they do for liquor. I was born in a town who only recently began selling liquor. Legalization puts control of marijuana, the funds from the sales, BACK into the hands of the people. You want to talk about an impact on society… violent criminals are released due to lack of jail space… while non-violent offenders with personal possession of marijuana take up our courts and law enforcement’s time and funds. Individuals who are arrested for personal possession face being unable to obtain student loans, being able to vote… you think THIS is not detrimental to society??? You really need to do a little research, and by a little I am letting you know that you have not even begun to scratch the surface of this debate.

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Aaron L.

October 26, 2010 at 12:16 pm

I was arrested on campus by UNT police for possession of ONE GRAM of marijuana. It was found by K9s in my car. The experience has turned my life upside down and is the single worst thing that has ever happened to me. I spent 14 hours in jail, am being kicked out of my dorm, permanently banned from all residential and dining property (criminal trespassing) and fined $1000. That is just from the school. I also am facing possible criminal charges. I understand marijuana is illegal, but what harm did I do? Not a single one of these penalties is justification for the crime I have committed. The UNT drug policy must be changed immediately! I don’t know of any other school that so assertively tries to catch and punish students. They really need to spend more time catching actual criminals!

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Allison

October 26, 2010 at 12:19 pm

I’m super happy that this organization is taking off at UNT. I really believe that this is super important cause for everyone to be apart of because reform NEEDS to happen.

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hmm

October 26, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Marijuana is illegal in this country right now. Most marijuana sales can be traced back to a source of organized crime. These are the criminals that you say the cops should be arresting.

Even if you believe marijuana should be legalized, the fact of the matter is that you are supporting organized crime right now by smoking it. How many of you are willing to stop smoking weed until the law changes? Until you do, YOU are the ones supporting organized crime.(which is associated with murder, human trafficking, smuggling etc.)

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Joshua

October 26, 2010 at 12:35 pm

“…but that will not push dealers out of business and will not take care of
the problem of the dealers who DID sell MJ being pushed into other drugs because there is still a black market for them.”

NORML isn’t trying to abolish the black market. It’s focusing on reforming the laws which surround marijuana. Legalizing marijuana isn’t going to get rid of the black market, and that’s not the intention. Rather, legalization will deprive the black market of a substance which it receives exorbitant profit from.

“If you start lowering the bar then at what point does it stop? Cigarettes are already legalized and we see how many problems there are (between lobyists and the sick and dying). I agree that MJ IS better for you physically than cigarettes but if we lower the bar and legalize then when does it stop? At what point do we wake up and have a choice of Meth, MJ, or Needles and have new drugs being invented just to keep the black market ”

Again, NORML isn’t about any substance but marijuana. No doubt, many members do support harm reduction methods, and a weakening of the stranglehold the government has over these substances. However, marijuana is what NORML is focused on. I would imagine most NORML members, myself included, view these other substances as a health issue, not a legal issue.

“I am not concerned with the impact to individuals but with the impact to society as a whole.”

You’re not concerned with the impact to individuals? To civil liberties, and inalienable rights? That’s scary. However, if that’s how you’re basing your decision on the issue of legalization, then consider how inadequate the current system is for society. Tens of billions of dollars go to funding the war on drugs. Would legalization not mitigate that spending?

“There is a greater Opportunity Cost to legalize at this moment than there is to not. When the opportunity costs shift and we are able to stop the flow of drugs into this country THEN we should consider legalizing american-grown MJ but not before, as currently we have no idea what or who our money is funding.”

I’m no economics major, but I don’t understand the basis of this. Legalization is a greater opportunity cost because of the drugs being imported? If it were legal to grow in this country, would we not spend less on imports?

“Even if you believe marijuana should be legalized, the fact of the matter is that you are supporting organized crime right now by smoking it. How many of you are willing to stop smoking weed until the law changes? Until you do, YOU are the ones supporting organized crime.(which is associated with murder, human trafficking, smuggling etc.)”

Unless you know your grower, or grow it yourself. It is a very sad fact that money from casual deals, for purely recreational use, may be going to support these criminal enterprises. We’re not supporting that – we’re trying to change
that. That’s like saying you support global warming every time you flip on a light switch.

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 12:37 pm

@hmm… do you think that all marijuana in the US comes from criminals? Do you think that individuals don’t grow their own or obtain from actual friends/acquaintances? Did those who wanted alcohol prohibition lifted stop drinking in order to affect change? No, they FORCED change. And if we were violent drunks instead of peaceful non-violent cannabis consumers, perhaps this change would’ve come decades ago. Backwards logic again. You could say the same for law enforcement… THEY’RE supporting organized crime by enforcing these ridiculous laws. There are cities where marijuana is decriminalized and guess what… less crime. Holland has had to close prisons because of lack of crime. Portugal decriminalized more than just marijuana and guess what no increased use or crime. Your approach is not realistic and would not work. Laws don’t get changed by boycotting the substance that you want legalized.

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hmm

October 26, 2010 at 12:58 pm

@cheyanne

or maybe you just love to toke up and don’t want to accept responsibility for your actions. If so, please go to one of those amazing paradises where marijuana is legal.

as far as the law enforcement supporting organized crime…those are the people trying to force change by doing good. For you to say that is an insult to anyone who has ever been in law enforcement. Blame congress if you want to, not those who are sworn to enforce the laws of the land.

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Ivy

October 26, 2010 at 1:01 pm

Congrats on the great turn out and thanks for everything you guys are doing. I’m glad to be a part of a group that is actually doing something to promote awareness on a subject so many seem to be so against with so little actual information on. Keep up the great work and a big shout out to Erin Long for all her hard work! (:

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Joshua

October 26, 2010 at 1:41 pm

“or maybe you just love to toke up and don’t want to accept responsibility for your actions.”

If that was true, we wouldn’t take the time to put down the joint and actually march like we did. We wouldn’t be utilizing our time and resources to raise awareness like we’re doing.

“as far as the law enforcement supporting organized crime…those are the people trying to force change by doing good. For you to say that is an insult to anyone who has ever been in law enforcement. Blame congress if you want to, not those who are sworn to enforce the laws of the land.”

Law enforcement isn’t trying to force change. Their job is to enforce the law. Change comes from legislation, as you pointed out. It is entirely in the interests of law enforcement to support the status quo. That’s merely a
statement, not an insult. We’re not against police; we’re against the current state of the ‘law of the land’ which law enforcement upholds.

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 1:42 pm

@hmm what “actions” am I responsible for? I have harmed no one, including myself. Look to your forefathers if you want answers. You are clearly one of the brainwashed ones left standing. It was required by law to grow hemp prior to prohibition being passed (largely for racist excuses). In the 70s Nixon commissioned a report by experts then decided he didn’t like what they found… cannabis poses no harm. Go watch some Reefer Madness and keep living in the dream world. Even in that dream world, do you really think prohibition is the answer? How’s it working for you? 28,000 dead in Mexico because they are fighting to supply the demand that Americans have for cannabis. Guess what happens if you take that SUPPLY away from the criminals and put it in the hands of a legal marketplace with the benefits being put back into the community instead of taking otherwise legally responsible and productive individuals out of society and crippling their families. If we made chocolate illegal do you think that there would not be those who would find a way to have it anyway? A black market would be created… because we as humans and as Americans should be allowed to control what we put into our bodies so long as we are not harming another. You have cited no harm CAUSED by cannabis, only by prohibition. You state no facts, just rhetoric. I certainly do not blame the police for enforcing laws, I live in a city where the majority of the police KNOW and will tell you that enforcing possession of marijuana as a crime is a WASTE OF THEIR RESOURCES. I spoke to 3 such City Police this month. Wearing marijuana leaf earrings, a bracelet, on my shirt, buttons on my backpack. Talked to them for about 10 minutes. They were reasonable individuals who live in reality and know that they would LOVE to have more time and resources available to go after criminals who actually cause harm to society and individuals within that society. How about some actual reasons to support the continued crippling of our nation over a plant? Got any?????

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Darren

October 26, 2010 at 1:59 pm

all of this is nonsense. the fact that there was a great turnout is grreat, I just wish it was for something more important.
and dont deem me with a closed minded opinion but one that comes from what I have seen from many of my friends who have no souls left because all they wanted to do was to get high
it is illegal for a reason.

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hmm

October 26, 2010 at 2:23 pm

@cheyanne

how about the fact that there is no clear cut way to field test a person who is driving under the influence of marijuana? If made legal, the number of people on the road under the influence will undoubtedly increase.

The biggest problem that I have seen concerning marijuana use is that it takes away the ambition of those who use it. Seriously, lots (not all) of people who smoke marijuana end up just being piles of mush stuck under dried up pizza boxes playing donkey kong. I cannot see a good reason to make a substance legal that will only serve as a detriment so society.

Alcohol and cigarettes are controlled by big business and are here to stay. That doesn’t mean we should introduce another substance into the mix for all to experiment with.

as for the actions you are responsible for… I assume you are a UNT student and as such signed into a contract that said you acknowledged the rules of the university. If you thought those rules were unfair, why did you sign them?? Why not go to another university with a more lenient drug policy? UNT is trying to become a tier 1 university. Students smoking more weed isn’t going to help us get there.

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 2:24 pm

What reason is that Darren? Do you even know? Any substance can be abused and as adult Americans we should have the right to choose. If I eat too much I get fat, if I take too many Advil I will probably die, if I don’t go to work and instead watch tv or play video games, I will probably lose my job and livelihood. Should these things be made illegal because of their potential to do harm in the hands of those who aren’t mature enough to handle it? Or should people be educated and minors have LESS access to that substance? Also, in your belief system… is prohibition working to prevent your concerns? I have an 19 and 20 year old who tell me regularly they and their friends can easily get marijuana anytime any day, alcohol they cannot. Why do you think that is? What is the solution? Arrest them??? Ruin their lives? This is the answer to improving our society? I would venture to guess that your soulless friends had other issues. Did they drink? Depressed? I am 37 years old and by choosing a safer alternative to drinking at 35 I have finally understood how much risk I put others and myself in when I did drink on occasion. I no longer take those risks and instead opt for a natural choice, one which is being given to patients if marijuana were such a detrimental substance would doctors advise that autistic and even children with ADHD be treated with it? And what exactly happened to your “soulless” friends? Could you be a little more specific than just dramatic statements with no hint of what actually happened? I watched my father ruin his life and die early from cigarettes. Yes, he smoked marijuana too, but I’m not so naive that I blame cannabis for his lot in life. I’d be more willing to blame alcohol (bar fights, car wrecks, domestic abuse), cigarettes (failing health leading to death at 52), and hard drugs including prescription pills and others potentially even shooting up although I don’t know that one extreme for a fact. I’d even include gambling via lottery to his downfall. Clearly he had an addictive personality. Any substance or act that could be abused, he did. So why should responsible adults be at risk for their lives being ruined because of prohibition because some citizens are not responsible enough to lead productive lives while recreating responsibly as well?

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hmm

October 26, 2010 at 2:47 pm

Your a 37 year old woman with kids who chooses to regularly smoke an illegal substance and you announce this information on a public forum.

*facepalm*

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 2:56 pm

@hmmm, good point, I’ve had it raised enough that I asked Neil Franklin, 30 year law enforcement veteran and a member of LEAP (Law Enforcement AGAINST Prohibition) how to handle this question. He advised that all law enforcement should be capable of a motor skills test to determine if someone is driving impaired. And if not, they should go back for training. Law enforcement, vehicles, and substances all existed before chemical tests. People are currently arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana, would you expect that to change because it was legalized? Why would it? Also, a test does not prohibit someone from driving under the influence, just as a breathalyzer doesn’t PREVENT someone from driving under the influence of alcohol. If someone is going to drive impaired, they are probably doing it already. Legalizing would not change that. It would however allow for more research for more tests, there are mouth swabs which can detect actual USE within 4 hours, blood tests narrow the window down better than a urinalysis also. Tests are all after the fact concerns to lock people up. If someone is not demonstrating impaired ability to operate a vehicle, this does not even come into play. And even when it does, we are not seeking to legalize operating a vehicle impaired. And as I also discussed with the 3 city police I spoke to recently, if you’ve ever smoked marijuana (especially in comparison to drinking alcohol)… the desire to drive is incredibly different. If high I will do everything I can to avoid driving, if drinking don’t tell me I can’t drive. It has a different affect. Additionally… have you ever watched some of the videos comparing driving stoned as to driving sober, much less buzzed?? You should check it out, I’ve watched a few and have yet to see ONE where a driver drove worse stoned. Totally sober drivers knocked over cones, ones who had just smoked prior to driving were more careful and attentive to the obstacles. Do I advocate people driving stoned? NO I do not.

Your ambition concern is #1 not valid, and #2 not your concern. If I want to screw up my life with alcohol or pot, that’s my business. And guess what, if I wanted to do that, I already could. Prohibition is doing NOTHING to stop people from using. I have met hundreds of people who are cannabis consumers and I couldn’t count on one hand the ones that you describe. Those that have these issues have other issues or are just not mature. No one’s talking about making pot available to minors either, but guess what, when it’s in a black market everyone has access and as much as they want and who knows what is in it. Did you know that there are MANY strains of marijuana and they fall into two categories, indica and sativa… typically one gives you more of an upbeat/energetic high, one helps you sleep, brings you down. If legal people would KNOW what they were buying and that it was safe. Instead of just playing the black market roulette of whatever you can find. Let’s see… on the ambition front… our current president admits to smoking (how many others, let’s take it back to George Washington then), Michael Phelps seems to have accomplished quite a bit despite his smoking… how about the entertainment industry, should I even begin a list? How about the individual activists that I know? We are not sitting on our couches being pushed around anymore and should NEVER have been punished for being peaceful in the first place.

Do you really think that marijuana being illegal is PREVENTING anyone and I do mean ANYONE, elementary school children included, from experimenting with it? WRONG

I am not a UNT student so your assumptions are incorrect. I am 37 years’ old, have been in the legal industry for 20 years, I have grown children and a granddaughter and I don’t want to see ANY of them or myself go to jail or even receive a ticket for doing something that I know for a fact is less harmful than aspirin. As for the students, the University’s rules should be changed. A student can commit a violent act against another and continue benefiting, but get caught with a gram of a plant and you’re out. You think that this is a just system that doesn’t need to be changed? Then please, let’s hear you advocate for prohibition. Please, tell me what good it is doing, while you’re at it, cite some statistics on how much use is prevented by prohibition, how much crime and violence is stopped, how much many is saved, how many people are helped. Please, tell me what the point is in keeping these failed laws in place? Laws are here to protect the people, what protection is being given by prosecuting individuals who even in your own rhetoric are a danger to their own livelihood (BS) and potentially on the road (not solved by prohibition).

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 3:03 pm

Yes sir I do and I encourage my children and all other Americans (especially those who vote) to speak out against unjust laws which go against the will of the people. Did you forget how America came into existence in the first place? Not all laws which are enacted should remain that way, in fact some should never have been made in the first place. You have neglected to respond to basically every question asked of you. I have no problem using my full name. I believe in what I am saying and if I get called on it by someone so be it. I’m not going to hide here anymore than I did when I stood on the sidewalk with my friends holding signs for legalization and speaking to law enforcement directly. If they’d asked my name I’d have told them as well. No victim, no crime. RE-LEGALIZE. You should do a little research into how cannabis became illegal in the 1st place, what the laws were prior to 1938 and what Nixon’s own experts came up with in the 70s. I refuse to support a law not based in facts and instead largely based on racial prejudice and a pack of lies.

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Brianna

October 26, 2010 at 3:24 pm

People who think marijuana effect ambition are ignorant and have obviously never met a user. I have been smoking weed for 6 years. I’m also a 1st generation college student with a 4.0. If your going to speak put against something at least educate yourself on the issue.

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John Troll

October 26, 2010 at 3:49 pm

@hmmm You just don’t get it do you? If you think it’s illegal simply because of it’s psychoactive affects you are very naive. The government doesn’t care about it’s psychoactive affects nor do they care about your health. It’s all about MONEY! They fear INDUSTRIAL HEMP far more! Especially at the turn of the century, we were just recovering from a depression. Hemp was encroaching on the lumber and paper industry as well as the chemical business. Dow wanted to launch nylon but knew it couldn’t compete with the textiles available at the time.

You need to do some research before you just verbally masturbate erroneously in a public forum that is far more educated than yourself.

Furthermore to the other people that commented, tobacco use has dropped DRAMATICALLY in the last 20 years. And guess what? They didn’t have to kick in any doors or put people in jail cells to accomplish this. All it took was education and communication.

Just because you have a couple drinks on the weekend doesn’t mean your an alcoholic, the same is true if you use cannabis responsibly. Just because you advocate the right to use cannabis INSTEAD of the more harmful and addictive alcohol doesn’t mean your a stoner, druggie or pothead.

The rampant hypocrisy in society is sickening.

Change is coming… people are getting educated and are starting to realize the lies that the government has been feeding us for my entire lifetime. (I am 40).

Peace and be safe.

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John Troll

October 26, 2010 at 3:59 pm

If an officer can’t figure out with field sobriety tests etc… if your ability to drive is impaired then you probably aren’t to impaired to drive. It’s VERY obvious when someone is to impaired to drive.

This argument is completely ridiculous, there isn’t a way in the field to test for your home prescription inebriation is there? Is there an opiate breath test? Is there a Cocaine breath test?

Prescription drug driving is a MUCH bigger concern today than people driving while under the influence of cannabis. http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/medications-and-car-accidents/

But lets ignore that problem and focus on something that causes so few accidents they don’t even have data on it.

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Bella Grace

October 26, 2010 at 4:18 pm

Hey @Chey there is a “Moms for Marijuana” group as well as “NORML Women’s Alliance” and hey @Hmmm yes, there are actually a lot of parents that speak out openly against marijuana laws. Who is going to protect their children from being arrested for marijuana in the future if they don’t? If you don’t stand up for what you believe in, who will? Parents are sick of the criminalization of our youth and they do not want their child to be next if they decide to use marijuana which has been reported to kill NO ONE (unlike alcohol and cigarettes) which some of us are to sick to use to begin with!

You and Orion need to think beyond the point of people just wanting to get high and think about all of the sick people out there who are literally dying asking for help for us to legalize this. I know a man named Tim Timmons in Dallas who police don’t arrest because he is that sick and he’ll smoke marijuana on the street corner. What about other patients that arn’t that sick but want to smoke? Michelle Rainey a marijuana activist actually just died last week of cancer. I have several friends who smoke for chrons and IBS, one of which I am. I know people who smoke for MS, depression, anxiety. Brian Cuban (mark cuban’s brother – owner of the mavericks) actually treated his alcoholism with medicinal marijuana. Why are you supporting these people being denied their medicine if anything else?

Oh orion, the government will tax and regulate it, just so you know and there is no near end to us stopping the inport of drugs. Americans are reported to consume 2/3rds of the world drugs, obviousl the war on drugs are not working.

Back to hmmm, as for people smoking and in turn contributing to the black market.. You do realize marijuana is a weed, is very easy to grow and by doing so on your own you’re not contributing to anything correct? Again, be careful not to generalize, we’re not all drug cartels here.

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Erin

October 26, 2010 at 4:24 pm

Here is the UNT NORML facebook for anyone who is interested in joining! We have supporters who don’t smoke and you could be one of them too! We’re having a showing of “The Union: The Business Behind Getting High” this coming Monday (November 1st). Tell your friends who don’t support us to come and get educated on the issue of marijuana!!!

UNT NORML facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=112571872087834

UNT NORML twitter:
http://twitter.com/UNTNORML

UNT NORML myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/528698816

See everyone there!
“It’s not for everyone, but it’s not a crime!”

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Kathryn Hemmerick

October 26, 2010 at 4:46 pm

The article rocked! I agree with NORML’s agenda of wanting to make people aware of Marijuana’s many uses from medicinal to recreational. Personally, marijuana has helped heal my pain from a broken knee because of its medicinal properties. As other posts have stated, marijuana paired with therapy works.
The part in the article when someone shouted out, “Marijuana is illegal for a reason” really got to me. NORML tried to reach out and educate that person, but he wanted no part of it. WHY? This demonstrates some of my concerns regarding education on marijuana. Some people just won’t listen, and react with hostility instead of love and understanding. NORML keeps the peace. The group’s ideas will influence the right people who will listen. Keep up the good work NORML.

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Joshua

October 26, 2010 at 5:04 pm

“See, I think drugs have done some good things for us. If you don’t think drugs have done good things for us then do me a favor. Go home tonight and take all of your records,tapes and all your CD’s and burn them. Because, you know all those musicians who made all that great music that’s enhanced your lives throughout the years? Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreal f*king high on drugs, man.” – Bill Hicks

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 5:32 pm

@Bella, yes I know there is a Mom’s for Marijuana group, there is also a Women’s Marijuana Movement. Look me up on Facebook and we’ll talk more about the various affiliations. Where are you located?

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Darren

October 26, 2010 at 6:12 pm

“were not just a bunch of potheads”

that gives the group all the credibility it needs

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Bob Marley

October 26, 2010 at 6:24 pm

I’m a pot head, what’s your point?

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Bobbi

October 26, 2010 at 6:44 pm

“I used to smoke marijuana. But I’ll tell you something: I would only smoke it in the late evening. Oh, occasionally the early evening, but usually the late evening – or the mid-evening. Just the early evening, midevening and late evening. Occasionally, early afternoon, early midafternoon, or perhaps the late-midafternoon. Oh, sometimes the early-mid-late-early morning. . . . But never at dusk.” – Steve Martin

That pretty sums up my life =]

Go UNT NORML! Keep up the good work lets legalize it!

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Orion

October 26, 2010 at 7:33 pm

I like how comments from me and from James have been deleted. Pretty much any comments that did not voice the same opinion as the author were deleted…I LOVE the quieting of dissent among the media…

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Orion

October 26, 2010 at 7:35 pm

Never mind, I withdraw my statement. I did not notice that older comments show up on another page. That was my fault and I appologize.

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 26, 2010 at 7:49 pm

ha ha ha… was going to ask what kind of drugs you were on. Just jumping the gun. We’re being pretty open with you here, with facts through medicine, science, and history to back it up along with economical and criminal statistics. How you guys don’t see the correlation with alcohol prohibition mirrored here is beyond me. Prohibit a substance that there is a demand for and human beings will find a way to get it. Once you face that reality you have to decide what can be done about it. There are really 2 distinct choices, continue giving the money to the criminals and allowing anyone in our society (including children) to have access to as much as they can get their hands on… or regulate it as a commodity to consumers as any other legitimate product, tax it for the economy, let people live their lives and be productive if that is their will or not if they want to sit on their couches. Create a new industry in America and EXPORT hemp products instead of paying a premium to other countries with enough sense to allow their farmers to grow!

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Bobbi

October 27, 2010 at 8:01 am

Your just scared of what you don’t know about. I’m sure if you were to take the time and research marijuana you would have a different opinion. And then you should research alcohol and compare the two. There have been no reported deaths from marijuana and thousands and thousands of people die from alcohol every year and it’s LEGAL! I think somethings wrong here!

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Kim

October 27, 2010 at 8:13 am

John Troll: You couldn’t be more right. The illegality of marijuana has absolutely NOTHING to do with the psychoactive effects. It’s all about history and money. One man man’s selfishness and greed for a monopoly made generations get brainwashed by the government that marijuana is bad just because it’s illegal. Have you by any chances taken Quinn’s class? He talks a lot about this topic :]

@hmm: The first goal in legalization is not legalizing it for recreational use. It is legalizing it for people who are terminally ill, and in chronic pain. So are you really so nieve that you’re saying you don’t want people who are sick and dying to smoke, because it will make them LAZY and lose ambition? Really? A lot of these people who want medical marijuana have tried ALL the other pain relieving options, at no avail. Lots of them have lost their ambition to live. So you’re against legalizing a natural, herbal option that helps with their pain because you’re afraid they’ll get lazy? That’s ludacris. Don’t comment on here if you’re so uninformed that you think legalization is about potheads wanting to be able to buy a joint at the local gas station. That is NOT what this movement is about.

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Andrew Odonnell

October 27, 2010 at 8:22 am

If legalization were surfing, our set is starting and we need to catch the wave.
you cant stop a tsunami; and with 70% popular vote all we need are people willing to goto the polls.

Gather
Network
Educated
VOTE
repeat

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MissConcerned&Confused

October 27, 2010 at 9:02 am

My parents smoke weed for medical reasons. My father broke his back on the job over 17 years ago. He smoked weed as a way to ease the pain and help his appetite due to his depression from losing his job. He loves to work and when he became disabled he became severely depressed and wouldn’t eat for days. My mother smokes weed because of her Multiple Sclerosis (which is very painful) and so she introduced him to weed. After that he ate more and started doing things around the house and even started growing a garden. Today he sells tomatoes out of our backyard. He still smokes it and I am glad he does. My sister has anger problems. She was born premature and had cocaine in her system as a baby. All her life has been filled with one illness after an another. When she found weed at the age of 16, I was pissed because my little sister was doing drugs! But then I noticed she was a lot happier-nicer, even. She is now 19 with fewer health problems and is even in college! I do not smoke weed because of my own personal health issues and I just dont think it’s right for me. I agree with the legalization of marijuana because of the way it has helped shape my family for the better. Its not like they are saying “Hey why don’t YOU smoke weed?” they just want you to open your eyes to the possible benefits of it.

Thank you for reading MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION ….

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Ed

October 27, 2010 at 12:33 pm

I still can’t believe some people are so closed minded!

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Justin

October 27, 2010 at 1:38 pm

While I support legalization (not as a smoker, but for the financial reasons as well as the industrial and environmental reasons for the use of hemp, made from the same plant), this march is just a waste of time. Even if you changed the rules at UNT, the cops patrolling will still be able to and probably will arrest you for violating state and federal drug laws. Really, they are legally obligated to enforce state and federal laws. And considering you can’t smoke inside the dorms, as that is against school policy which will not be changed even if marijuana is allowed by UNT, which makes their job arresting you easier. All they got to do is smell.

From there, even if you change the state laws like California is trying to with Prop 19, because of federal drug laws, pot smokers can still be arrested.

Basically, until the state and federal drug laws are changed to make marijuana legal, don’t expect UNT to change anything.

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Aaron L

October 27, 2010 at 1:54 pm

@ Justin

You’re right that unt NORML is not going to change the laws. What we’re trying to do currently is change the strict zero tolerance housing policy. Right now, a student living in a dorm is kicked out on the first offense of possession of a drug. There is no reason for this kind of brute punishment and this policy must be changed. This is UNT NORML’s immediate goal. Another reason for marching is to demonstrate that there are indeed people who feel passionate about a cause. Like a way of marketing. If we just sit in a room and talk about our feelings, nothing will get done and the movement will not expand or progress. I was not able to attend the march unfortunately but I plan on being at the next one for sure. Anyone who doubts the legalization of marijuana I urge you to go watch the documentaries “Grass” and “The Union: The Bussiness Behind Getting High”. These films will change your whole perspective on cannabis.

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Nikki

October 27, 2010 at 1:55 pm

Obviously we can’t tell our police department to stop arresting for marijuana. That’s ridiculous, that isn’t what we are trying to do at all RIGHT NOW. Of course our eventual goal is to have marijuana legal throughout the country.

The march we had was to raise awareness of our group. & our current goal in changing the school’s policy is not to tell THE COPS to stop arresting people for marijuana, but for THE SCHOOL to stop kicking students out of school for it. & for THE SCHOOL to stop calling the cops into situations when they are NOT REQUIRED to. It clearly states in the drug policy that they MAY get police involved, but are not required to. We want THE SCHOOL to stop kicking students out of the dorms for small, user amount possessions. Yes, the policy is now if you get arrested for any drug possession you are to be removed from the dorms (zero tolerance). This is what we are trying to change. The school’s policies. NOT THE COPS POLICIES. Though, eventually we will. (:

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Nikki

October 27, 2010 at 2:04 pm

hahaha, hell yeah aaron. we were on top of that.

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Erin

October 27, 2010 at 2:13 pm

Justin, we raised awareness and that was our main goal. We are not trying to speak out to Washington or even the Texas government and we actually are going to change UNT policies. It is a slow process that will take time and I am in touch with the correct people in order to accomplish this. This march was not a waste of time and everyone in the organization had a fun time doing it. It gave everyone a chance to participate in something bigger other then just tabeling as well as let other students that we are here. What is a waste of time is saying something can’t be done without even trying. Although we do realize that officers will still arrest marijuana users due to state laws we have other organizations such at DFW NORML, Austin NORML, Waco NORML and National NORML working on these areas of concentration. UNT NORML is here to concentrate on the University and reducing harm for our fellow students.

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Mark

October 27, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Weed has been scientifically proven to be beneficial at therapeutic levels. This applies to everything though. Too much of any drug will damage anyone’s body. It needs to be approved and carefully regulated and it will be beneficial to millions of patients out there looking for pain relief or other beneficial effects.

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Patrick

October 27, 2010 at 4:54 pm

One needs to carefully consider the legal implications legitimizing weed would have. It will make it harder to enforce drug smugglers and the underground community for other substances will flourish. We must step carefully when passing laws.

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fudgey

October 27, 2010 at 8:45 pm

I cant believe people are still so childish

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Maclovia

October 27, 2010 at 9:45 pm

I’M STONED RIGHT NOW

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 28, 2010 at 10:36 am

Patrick, please elaborate as to how removing one of the criminal element’s products is going to make other substances flourish. Did it improve Al Capone’s gambling business when he was no longer able to bootleg alcohol? Additionally, do some research on how laws get changed, particularly on the Federal level. The Federal government leads, they do not follow. State laws are affected by local laws, through the representatives elected by the people and through ballot initiatives put out by the people (not in Texas but in States where that is allowed). Once States have had candidates run with a legalization stance and not be defeated because of it and/or pass laws on a local level evidencing those in the communities do in fact want their laws changed, only THEN will our Federal government even discuss rescheduling. How do we do this? By being vocal in our communities, taking risks (by talking to people and spreading the word, not civil disobedience). Our local universities where are young people are trying to further their educations is a logical place to also weigh in. Obviously there are still those who believe this is a lazy stoner’s fight, it is not. It is a freedom lover’s fight and we have to be public on all fronts. Our youth should not have their futures crippled by choosing a natural method of recreation that is safer than our current legal choices. If they don’t stand up for their rights who will, you? This was obviously a beneficial event for some even if you do not see it. It has generated a lot of discussion here, awareness on campus of a new organization, and believe me it feels really good to stand up in public for what you believe in instead of cowering inside like a criminal.

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Cheyanne Weldon

October 28, 2010 at 11:08 am

To anyone who believes that if marijuana were illegal we’d all become lazy stoners, please listen to this song… I don’t miss work because I get high (by the time I wake I’m not anymore, and I don’t feel hungover, and I don’t wake and bake if I have to work…). However, how many times have you or someone you know called into work after a night out drinking (and probably not because you were still drunk, usually just because it made you feel so damned bad)??? Hmmmm…? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOnkZ6OpR6Y

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aj08

October 30, 2010 at 10:44 pm

Hey I just thought I’d add this in here just to give a personal example and a face behind the use of marijuana. I recently tore my liver and underwent tremendous amounts of surgery and lost around 30-40lbs and was put on large amounts of drugs from antibiotics to heavy pain killers which can seriously digress your eating, and i had used marijuana before for no real medical reason so was familiar with it and I decided to go back to smoking marijuana wondering if it would help my appetite as well as my weight loss. So I did and I must say it helped me more than anything else did! I started gaining weight back and was in a much better mood which led to me getting off those god awful antidepressants cause i personally hate taking pills. And as some of you might have already wondered yes my doctor took blood work ups of me which confirmed that i was positive for THC, and i’m sure to a lot of yalls great amazement the doctor told me that he cant tell me to take it but he did tell me since it helps that he isn’t going to tell me NOT TO TAKE IT! I just wish i didn’t have to beat around the bush and have to go to a DRUG dealer to get it which can put me in harms way even further, which seems pretty stupid by our government to put that kind of power in the hands of a drug dealer. However to this day i continue to smoke and i’ve gained about 20lbs back so far and am off all my other medications cause really marijuana is all i need. It also is a nice thing to take the edge off since i’m no longer able to drink alcohol due to the fact that it could kill me fairly easily… well my post might be all over the place but you get the jist of what i’m saying,and i never said smoking pot made u smarter =P

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Moe

October 31, 2010 at 1:25 pm

It’s good to hear you’re feeling better aj, I’m glad mary jane could be there for you

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Voldemort

November 4, 2010 at 1:35 pm

You filthy long haired freaks smoking your marijuana cigarettes disgust me. You lost proposition 19, you lost the house, you and your party are going to lose in 2012. Marijuana makes you fat lazy and stupid, the epitomy of american soceity, they need to repeal all of the medical marijuana laws so real doctors can profit and we can get this country back on track.

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JD

November 4, 2010 at 2:48 pm

America has 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of its prison population, Gouge said.

“And we’re supposed to be a free country?” he said

What does this have to do with legalizing an illegal drug. That’s his justification? A free country still has rules to follow. What idiocy.

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darren

November 4, 2010 at 10:52 pm

voldemort voldemort of voldi voldi voldi voldemort!

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Nico Rose

November 5, 2010 at 9:05 am

Usually people insult others when they have nothing tacticle in response to say. This is clearly the case with Vold and JD. JD, 1 in 100 adults is in prison most of which is for non-violent crimes including.. wait for it.. waiitttt forrrr iitttt… MARIJUANA. A substance that has never been proven to kill a single person yet alcohol and cigarettes kill thousands each year. When have we arrested one person for a cigarette to make the use rate go down? Never, and yet the rate went down. I believe this is what Chad was trying to say. Do a little research on the topic before you start insulting others by calling them an idiot for using facts.

Voldemort, I’m just going to assume you’re a troll.

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classof04

November 8, 2010 at 12:24 am

If marijuana people are so smart about the issue itself, why arent they smart enough to know that they shouldn’t smoke it on campus because it is a law? It’s fine that they want to get it changed, just be responsible with your behavior.

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Nico Rose

November 8, 2010 at 10:56 am

If UNT personal were so smart then why do they give underage drinkers just a warning, which has been proven to be a less safe choice of recreation (kills up to 75,000 a year) which is also a crime under state and federal law but someone caught with marijuana (also a crime under state and federal law) gets kicked out of the dorm for choosing a safer recreation that has never been proven to kill a single person. It’s not marijuana that is the problem, it is UNTs inconsistencies in their policy that is the absolute problem. Also, when someone is caught ANYWHERE in the US with marijuana (not just in the dorm or on campus) and are charged and they live in the dorm they are kicked out. So yea, maybe some are smart about it and do not bring it in the dorm or on campus but apparently UNT has jurisdiction anywhere someone that lives in their dorm is caught. That is the issue here.

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Samantha

November 8, 2010 at 11:04 am

If non-marijuana people weren’t so judgemental and prejudice then marijuana people wouldn’t need to worry about getting kicked out of school, losing their financial aid, being charged a $1000 fine, being referred to as a convict everytime they apply for a job, piss in a cup every month for a year when reporting to probation, court costs, mandatory drug awareness classes. For mere possesion in texas the maximum is 6 months in jail and $1000’s in fines. Ridiculous but not nearly as bad as the nine years in prison the courts were giving for two joints in the sixties.

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Kyle McGee

November 8, 2010 at 12:34 pm

If you ask me people that break the law deserve to be punished, just because smoking marijuana is accepted by the lower classes of our society doesn’t make it a justifiable act. More stoners caught with the drug should be put in jail instead of being let off easy with probation, it will allow more chances for law abiding citizens to be successful in school and in the job market. It is illegal and everybody knows it, but not everybody wants to follow the law, those people should be prosecuted. Following the law doesn’t make me judgemental or prejudice, it makes me a good citizen and a patriot, hopefully more youth will come to understand that. God Bless!!!

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Rabbit

November 13, 2010 at 12:54 am

Word, Kyle!

Samantha – Maybe potheads shouldn’t be in school at all if they are going to be stupid enough to break the law within the dorms. There is huge a difference between alcohol and pot.
This is all so stupid…

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Glenn

November 13, 2010 at 9:55 am

Rabbit, Kyle, how can you call yourselves Christians when you wish ill for those who smoke marijuana? Isn’t christianity about loving thy neighbor and forgiving others for their mistakes? Your judging people who smoke it on the basis that the Law is fair and just. There will never be any form of government fair and just, nor will you ever be able to accept those who are different than you. Some people smoke marijuana to escape their depression and to get away from family matters at home. So God Bless the children who have alcoholic parents, no financial support, and have gotten kicked out of dorms for smoking an antidepressant. Marijuana is a schedule 1 narcotic, classified as “no medical benefits”, our government is lying to us and themselves and people like you think its justified by your religion.

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Nico Rose

November 13, 2010 at 1:35 pm

like I said above since Kyle or Rabbit can’t apparently read:
“If UNT personal were so smart then why do they give underage drinkers just a warning, which has been proven to be a less safe choice of recreation (kills up to 75,000 a year) which is also a crime under state and federal law but someone caught with marijuana (also a crime under state and federal law) gets kicked out of the dorm for choosing a safer recreation that has never been proven to kill a single person. It’s not marijuana that is the problem, it is UNTs inconsistencies in their policy that is the absolute problem. Also, when someone is caught ANYWHERE in the US with marijuana (not just in the dorm or on campus) and are charged and they live in the dorm they are kicked out. So yea, maybe some are smart about it and do not bring it in the dorm or on campus but apparently UNT has jurisdiction anywhere someone that lives in their dorm is caught. That is the issue here.”

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Nico Rose

November 13, 2010 at 1:36 pm

Also, PROP 203 passed in Arizona! WOOO!!! http://www.examiner.com/medical-marijuana-dispensaries-in-portland/with-passage-of-prop-203-arizona-becomes-15th-medical-marijuana-state That is now 15 states with legal medicinal marijuana and 13 who have decriminalized it!

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Nico Rose

November 13, 2010 at 1:46 pm

Rabbit, please, do tell the difference between alcohol or pot since you seem so informed. Wait I’ll do it for you, its really simple. You can fill in the rest if you want.
Alcohol kills up to 75000 people a year from consumption alone.
Marijuana has never been recorded to kill a single person.
Is this the difference you were talking about?

Also, I’m a pothead. What is your point? I was number 11 in my high school class and I’m about to get a bachelors and go on to law school and I’ve smoked since I was 16 .. so really, what is your point? That I choose a safer form of recreation?

Kyle, ‘lower classes of our society’? Really, so 80,000,000 amearicans are considered low class? Because that is the amount of people who has smoked marijuana in the US in case you didn’t do any research on the topic.

Okay so by following the law you agree that the sick should be arrested and thrown in jail only to die a few days later? If you want proof of an example of this I can give you one of a paraplegic who was hit by a drunk driver (legal substance) when he was 4 causing him to become paralyzed from the neck down. Then he was caught with a joint 28 years later and was put in jail for 10 days. He died 4 days later due to respiratory failure. This happened in our nations capital.

Yea that sounds like the Christian thing to do. Putting a paralyzed man in jail for his choice of medicine because of a law that was instituted 74 years ago. RE-legalize it, because it was actually legal at one point. Also is legal in 15 states medicinally and 13 have decrminalyzed it. Why are you ingoring these states?

We need to get the sick off the battlefield on the war on drugs. Then you can be selfish and dismiss recreational use, but please understand that there are people out there who can’t fight for it to become legal, so that is why people like us our here. You want another example? Look up Tim Timmons, or in fact go visit him, he’s in Dallas and has MS which he smokes marijuana for. I’ve only given you 2 examples of sick people who smoke medicinally, there are 1000’s. Open your mind and quit thinking of how this effects only you. There are people who need help and the government actually supplies marijuana to 4 people in the US. Why don’t you look that up to, even the government isn’t following its own law.

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Nico Rose

November 13, 2010 at 2:34 pm

Also with 5% of the worlds population residing in america as well as 25% of the worlds prison population and with 80,000,000 people who have smoked marijuana.. throwing all of those people in prisons that are already way over-crowded would only drain our economy more as well as put even more children in orphaneges. Think about it, also, research it. The answers are out there and the only way you’ll find them is the moment you stop thinking about yourself and all those DARE campaigns that came and talked ot you at school since pre-k and start realizing that there are people who actually do need help that this is much bigger then your personal biases.

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Nico Rose

November 13, 2010 at 2:48 pm

For Kyle: Tim Timmons, a Texas patient, and Barack Obama on medicinal marijuana: http://bud101.com/2010/04/14/barack-obama-medical-marijuana-texas-tim-timmons/

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Nico Rose

November 13, 2010 at 2:55 pm

If anyone is interested in the issue of medicinal marijuana use, UNT NORML has over 300 sources posted at their facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112571872087834 and will be having 6 upcoming a events. On this monday, November 15th, UNT NORML will be having Brian Cuban (Mark Cuban’s brother) come and speak about how he over-came his alcholism with medicinal marijuana. UNT NORML is also hosting a public forum on the issue of marijuana December 1st 7pm to 8:30pm in the ESSC 225 over the issue of marijuana. Come and ask questions, pro or anti, UNT NORML will have someone representing both sides of the issue.

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Dr. James McHugh

December 17, 2010 at 5:23 pm

It is very good that you have this dialog. I am a grad of UNT and a Doctor to boot. I still consider myself a Texan. Getting multiple 4.0s was very helpful getting into Law School. That was so long ago. PASS THE LAW AND PASS THE JOINT. Denton has really grown. When I lived there 40,000 folks lived there and now it has 380,000. Keep up the fight.
Dr. James McHugh at JIMM@facebook.com

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Chris

December 29, 2010 at 12:20 am

Hint,hint,hint: The same people that allow it to be shipped in are the ones passing and enforcing laws against it….O what a tangled web they weave…too bad the American people are waking up…..

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Nikki Kidd

April 7, 2011 at 3:40 am

Hey! Just thought I would let you guys know that we meet Mondays 5-7pm in Chemistry 106. We are currently petitioning the current policy for students caught with marijuana or paraphernalia. You currently get kicked out the dorm for marijuana or paraphernalia, whether caught on or off campus. They give you 72 hours to find a new place to live after meeting with a judge. Plus multiple fines, it’s always on your record, and you completely lose financial aid. Our petition is trying to bring it down to a student vote on if marijuana offenders should be given a warning for first offenses, and a second chance at their future career.

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Nikki Kidd

April 7, 2011 at 3:45 am

Hey! Just thought I would let you guys know that NORML meets Mondays 5-7pm in Chemistry 106. We are currently petitioning the current policy for students caught with marijuana or paraphernalia. You currently get kicked out the dorm for marijuana or paraphernalia, whether caught on or off campus. They give you 72 hours to find a new place to live after meeting with a judge. Plus multiple fines, it’s always on your record, and you completely lose financial aid. Our petition is trying to bring it down to a student vote on if marijuana offenders should be given a warning for first offenses, and a second chance at their future career. We need 1800 signatures, right now we are at 1250.

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