Pubdate: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 Source: Central Michigan Life (MI Edu) Copyright: 2005 Central Michigan LIFE Contact: http://www.cm-life.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2808 Author: Stephen R. Tait, Enterprise Editor Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.org ) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) MARIJUANA GROUP: A CHARITY CHOICE? Puff, puff, give. Or, raise, raise, give -- it's your choice. Fraternities and sororities at Central Michigan University have been summoned for help. The Marijuana Policy Project Foundation is asking you to add them to your charitable donation lists this year. Their press release urging Greeks to help said that in 2003 more than 330,000 18 to 22 year olds were arrested on drug charges and half of all drug charges are for marijuana. It did not say, however, how many of those people had Greek letters strewn across their chests. Still, we can guess that many of them attend college and that some of those who attend college are members of fraternities and sororities -- that is just a numbers game. (Now, before members of these aforementioned groups get angry -- and I say that with historical significance -- notice I have not said that only fraternity and sorority members get busted for marijuana use. So relax.) Before any students dismiss this as tomfoolery, I am assured by Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications, it is a serious proposition. He compares the laws against weed to prohibition. For those who forget, that was when booze was illegal in the United States and, as a side note, helped manufacture organized crime. "Responsible adults should not have to risk jail or prison and all of the horrors that go with those things because they decide to end the day with a joint rather than a martini," Mirken said in an interview from San Francisco. (Side Note: Mirken would not comment about whether or not he smokes now, but did say: "I did when I was in college. I went to college in the mid-70s and I didn't know many people who didn't.") As far as the federal government is concerned, MPP is just as legitimate as the American Cancer Society and the Children's Miracle Network -- they receive charity under the same tax code. So don't be afraid to give: They are legit. Before we go any further, I would like to say I am not particularly condoning or condemning the ingestion of marijuana. I write this simply to inform the Greek community at CMU of a possible destination for their donations. With that said, Mirken is positive marijuana will someday be governed in the same fashion as whiskey and vodka: Through government controls and taxes. He said not only will it help combat violence on the street but it will allow otherwise non-criminals to smoke a J if they felt the desire. "I do think sooner or later marijuana prohibition will collapse under the weight of its own stupidity. It doesn't work, just like it didn't work for alcohol," he said. This, my Greek friends, is how you can help your society and your fellow students at CMU: Giver you charitable donations to MPP. It will go to a legitimate organization and you may just get an extra puff before you have to pass. Besides, imagine the shopping lists you could make before parties if this did come to fruition: Three bottles of vodka, three kegs, two ounces of marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake