Pubdate: Mon, 19 April 1999
Source: MSNBC (WLUC TV, Marquette, MI)
Contact:  http://www.msnbc.com/local/WLUC/

RALLY HELD IN HOUGHTON IN SUPPORT OF LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

Scores of Michigan Tech University Students and others in the Keweenaw
came together on Sunday in support of marijuana.

Pot, weed or grass no matter what you call it the growing, smoking or
sale of marijuana is illegal. On Sunday, at Michigan Tech University,
students involved with the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws or NORML held their annual campus rally to spread the
word about the drug and the benefits they claim it provides.

Specifically including medicinal purposes and the various uses of
hemp, a related byproduct of the marijuana plant.

NORML organizers were hoping for about 400 people at the rally. Some
were certainly interested in the free music and food, while others
clearly showed they had no interest in what was going on.

One may think activists might try to favorably compare marijuana with
alcohol and tobacco, but one NORML organizer said that’s not a fair
comparison. He said marijuana is a safer choice.

"Tobacco and alcohol are a lot more damaging as far as medical damage
to the human body then marijuana is. There has never been a reported
fatality due to marijuana use ever," Nick Lauer, NORML member, said.

Lauer added his group has looked into sponsoring legislation to change
the current prohibition against marijuana, but have not made any
formal proposals.

State Representative Mike Prusi said he could envision the
legalization of marijuana, but only if it was heavily regulated by the
government.

"Maybe if they can find a way to get marijuana or the active
ingredients in marijuana in the form where it could be prescribed and
regulated. I think that’s the route they may want to look at," Prusi
said.

Speaking at an unrelated function the day before, Prusi added it’s
unlikely for any reform act to pass in Lansing in the near future.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake