Drug law reform discussed at NORML conference

The conference aimed to inspire drug policy reform.

By Luke Udstuen

Published Nov. 10, 2009

The National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws sponsored a meeting Saturday at Ellis Auditorium for the purpose of informing attendees about marijuana and inspiring grassroots drug policy reform.

"I want to argue that marijuana isn't just uniquely safe in comparison with other drugs, but that it's also safe in general," NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said.

Armentano and attorney Dan Viets, both of who spoke at the NORML conference, pointed out there have been no deaths recorded to the usage of marijuana, and with other drugs this is not always the case.

"Several hundred people die each year from eating aspirin," said Viets, who specializes in the defense of marijuana charges. "Not even getting to OxyContin or other narcotics, just aspirin kills several hundred people each year because of its immediate toxic effects."

Drugs laws in Columbia have already seen some changes, with a voter initiative passing in 2004 that eliminated the possibility of jail time for possession of up to 1.25 ounces of marijuana in Columbia, and reduced the maximum fine for this level of marijuana possession to $250.

MU Health Care spokesmen Jeff Hoelscher said in an e-mail he did not know of anyone being treated for marijuana use alone.

"To my knowledge, we have not had anyone admitted or treated strictly for marijuana use," Hoelscher said. "That being said, it is very possible that someone could have been under the influence of any kind, or kinds, of mood-altering agent, or agents, such as alcohol, marijuana, etc., while being treated for some other issue."

Hoelscher also said though there hasn't been anyone admitted to the hospital because of marijuana use, it does not mean it is any safer to operate a motor vehicle while using the drug.

"That distinction is inconsequential," Hoelscher said about the difference between alcohol and marijuana use while behind the wheel. "Both are mood-altering drugs and neither should ever be used in conjunction with any kind of vehicular use. Marijuana, of course, is illegal."

Greg Boyt, Daybreak Treatment Center of Columbia program director, said marijuana was not safe.

"Marijuana is not safer than alcohol," Boyt said. "It can have a variety of sensory responses, anything from being a depressant, stimulant or a hallucinogen."

He said the unpredictability of marijuana is different than using alcohol.

"Alcohol is a depressant," Boyt said. "There's not always the same predictability with smoking marijuana as compared to alcohol."

Viets also said drug issues receive unequal coverage from the media. Despite this coverage, he said attitudes on drug policy are shifting.

There are also exorbitant costs both socially and monetarily of incarcerating citizens for nonviolent drug offenses, he said. In addition to feeding, clothing and taking care of additional inmates, Viets said some other indirect costs are ignored.

"The indirect cost, which I think the media and most politicians tend to ignore, is that the great majority of people in prison, is that if they weren't in prison, they would be working and paying taxes," Viets said.