Pubdate: Sun, 21 Apr 2013
Source: Central Michigan Life (Central MI U, MI Edu)
Copyright: 2013 Central Michigan Life
Contact:  http://www.cm-life.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2808
Author: Andrea Peck
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

STUDENT ADVOCATES FOR MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL CANNABIS HOSTING 4/20 WEEK

Student Advocates for Medical and Recreational Cannabis are hosting a 
panel to discuss the truth about the plant.

The panel titled "Tell the Truth About Marijuana," takes place at 7 
p.m. Wednesday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.

It is part of a series of events planned by SAMRC to celebrate the 
week of 4/20. While the week is normally used as a protest or 
recreational week, freshman Ian Elliott, the president of SAMRC, said 
the registered student organization will use the week as an 
educational opportunity.

"Our group here is pretty different," Elliot said. "We like to work 
with the system. Most of us are going into professional careers, so 
this is really something we're passionate about."

Elliott said the concluding event for the week, the panel, will 
include Matt Abel, the director of Michigan NORML. Michigan NORML is 
one of the largest activism groups in the country regarding cannabis.

Heidi Parikh, the president of My Compassion, a patient-based 
outreach program, will also join the panel, as well as Adam Brook, an 
activist and NORML affiliate.

"The panelists will be able to tell their own stories, as well as 
answer a few predetermined questions," Elliott said. "We have some 
different perspectives on the issue, as well as different professions 
that they hold in advancing the cause. Following that presentation, 
we're going to have petition signings in the back for Coalition for a 
Safer Mount Pleasant."

The Coalition for a Safer Mount Pleasant is a ballot initiative that 
proposes to amend the Mount Pleasant city code to decriminalize the 
use, possession, and transfer of an ounce or less of marijuana on 
private property by anyone 21 and older.

Monday and Tuesday will also feature events in a more informal 
setting. Monday, outside the Bush Theater, there will be an "info 
circle" set up, with flyers and information to hand out to people.

"It's going to be a very laid back and relaxed event," Elliott said. 
"It will be a great way for students that want to find out about what 
SAMRC does here on campus to come and introduce themselves, not in a 
formal meeting setting."

Tuesday, at the Fabiano Gardens, SAMRC will hold an event called 
"Weed is In-Tents." Elliott said details for that event will remain a surprise.

"These two events are more just opportunities for us to interact with 
students as they're walking around campus and talk with them about 
why they should be concerned about some of the medical and 
recreational marijuana issues," Elliott said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom