SAFER

Tell UGA Administrators to respect students' political speech regarding marijuana!

Administrators at the University of Georgia are threatening to kick a student organization off campus because it created T-shirts that read "Legalize" and "Equalize," featuring a hand-drawn image of the college's mascot using marijuana in front of a campus structure. (Click here to read the campus newspaper's story on the situation.)

The student chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) at UGA created the shirts to promote the reform of marijuana laws so that it is treated similar to alcohol. It did NOT use any of UGA's trademarked images or logos, and there is sound legal precedent in favor of the students' right to political speech and satire.

The administration's actions are clearly driven by its opposition to the content of the shirts -- marijuana use and making marijuana legal. Yet UGA allows its logos and mascot to be printed on shot glasses, flasks, and other alcohol-related paraphernalia, despite the fact that alcohol use is FAR more harmful and problematic than marijuana use -- especially on college campuses.

Use the form below to send an e-mail to Vice President of Student Affairs Rodney Bennett, and tell the UGA Administration to leave the Georgia NORML chapter alone and stop the hypocrisy!

** Be sure to mention if you're a student at UGA or any other college! **

February 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Vice President Bennett

I am writing to encourage the University of Georgia to stop the hypocrisy when it comes to marijuana and alcohol, and respect students' rights to political speech regarding marijuana policy. Georgia NORML did NOT use any of UGA's trademarked images or logos, and there is sound legal precedent in favor of their right to free speech and political satire.

There is little doubt the University would be so upset if the T-shirt had depicted Hairy Dawg having a drink, yet every objective study on marijuana has concluded that it is far SAFER than alcohol both to the user and to society. 
Extensive research shows that alcohol contributes to overdose deaths, injuries, sexual assaults and date rapes, whereas the use of marijuana does not. As you surely know, the problems surrounding alcohol use are even more pronounced amongst college students.

If UGA can put its logos on shot glasses, flasks, and other alcohol-related paraphernalia -- and sell it to students and visitors at the campus bookstore -- there is absolutely no reason why Georgia NORML should be punished for creating T-shirts with its opinion regarding marijuana laws and policies.

Please stop the hypocrisy -- leave Georgia NORML alone and stop sending a pro-alcohol, anti-marijuana message to the students.

Sincerely,

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