Spring Break
Student Senate recognizes SSDP/NORML, NASO, Young Americans 4 Liberty, Psychology Club
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News
11/6/08 - The Student Senate voted last night to add an eclectic assortment of groups to the University of Rhode Island's roster of official student organizations.
The group Students for Sensible Drug Policy/National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (SSDP/NORML) was among those recognized.
SSDP and NORML are national organizations of which the URI group will be a chapter.
SSDP's stated mission is to educate students on the harms of the war on drugs.
NORML's mission, according to its Web site, is to campaign for the repeal of laws against marijuana "so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty."
The group has existed on campus in the past, but lost its senate recognition last year after members lost interest.
Spencer Ginsberg, the club's president and a member of the Student Senate, spoke on the club's behalf.
Ginsberg said the club's goal is to educate the public and the student body on topics of drug policy and reform.
"It's for educational purposes, I'm sure you've all seen the ads on TV about 'smoke marijuana and you'll shoot yourself with a shotgun,'" Ginsberg said. "It's to dispel the myths."
The organization plans to bring in speakers to talk about drug issues, and will continue to sponsor events it has held in the past such as the annual "Hemp Fest," an event intended to encourage open discussion about drugs.
Senator Thomas Sibald, a member of the committee charged with sponsoring new organizations, explained his vote against recognition of the organization.
"I think it's a group that has in the past promoted illicit drug use," Sibald said.
Ginsberg responded that the organization was neutral on the question of illegal drug use.
"As an organization we do not condone or condemn the use of any drugs," Ginsberg said.
As a Level III student organization, SSDP/NORML will be eligible to apply for contingency grants, but will not receive a regular senate budget.
The group Students for Sensible Drug Policy/National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (SSDP/NORML) was among those recognized.
SSDP and NORML are national organizations of which the URI group will be a chapter.
SSDP's stated mission is to educate students on the harms of the war on drugs.
NORML's mission, according to its Web site, is to campaign for the repeal of laws against marijuana "so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty."
The group has existed on campus in the past, but lost its senate recognition last year after members lost interest.
Spencer Ginsberg, the club's president and a member of the Student Senate, spoke on the club's behalf.
Ginsberg said the club's goal is to educate the public and the student body on topics of drug policy and reform.
"It's for educational purposes, I'm sure you've all seen the ads on TV about 'smoke marijuana and you'll shoot yourself with a shotgun,'" Ginsberg said. "It's to dispel the myths."
The organization plans to bring in speakers to talk about drug issues, and will continue to sponsor events it has held in the past such as the annual "Hemp Fest," an event intended to encourage open discussion about drugs.
Senator Thomas Sibald, a member of the committee charged with sponsoring new organizations, explained his vote against recognition of the organization.
"I think it's a group that has in the past promoted illicit drug use," Sibald said.
Ginsberg responded that the organization was neutral on the question of illegal drug use.
"As an organization we do not condone or condemn the use of any drugs," Ginsberg said.
As a Level III student organization, SSDP/NORML will be eligible to apply for contingency grants, but will not receive a regular senate budget.
