Washington, DC: Students at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin and Florida State University (FSU) recently approved a pair of non-binding campus initiatives calling on campus officials to decrease university-imposed marijuana penalties.
More than 64 percent of UT students approved the “Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Referendum,” which calls on University officials to reduce penalties for minor marijuana offenses so that they are no greater than university-imposed penalties for alcohol possession. FSU students passed a similar measure last week by a vote of 60 to 40 percent.
“Students clearly recognize the truth: Alcohol is simply more harmful both to the user and society than marijuana,” said Texas NORML President Judie Niskala.
Both campaigns were coordinated by regional NORML chapters, Texas NORML and FSU NORML, in conjunction with the Colorado-based SAFER (Safer Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation).
Yesterday SAFER, which successfully passed a citywide initiative eliminating municipal marijuana penalties in Denver this past fall, began gathering signatures to place a similar proposal on the November 2006 Colorado ballot.
For more information, please visit: http://www.texasnorml.com or http://www.saferchoice.org