Advocacy group says marijuana less destructive than drinking alcohol

AUSTIN, Texas – While April 20 was just another Friday to most people, about 50 student organizations across the nation acapitalized on the marijuana “holiday” to push the alcohol-marijuana equalization movement.\nSafer Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER, and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws highlighted national laws and university policies that the group claims drive students to use alcohol instead of marijuana, said Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER.\nThe organization said alcohol is far more destructive than marijuana and that harsher punishment for illegal marijuana usage causes a higher consumption of alcohol.\n“We are not anti-alcohol, but simply pro-choice,” Tvert said. “But we would like more people to go with the safer choice.”\nA 2002 report by New Scientist magazine claimed that one glass of wine is more likely to impair driving than a single joint. Additionally, the combination of alcohol and marijuana may cause someone to drive less recklessly than if he were only under the influence of alcohol, according to the report.\nAnother report by Columbia University’s Health Services said it is impossible to overdose on marijuana, while consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time can easily lead to fatal alcohol poisoning.\nIn light of such studies, the University of Texas’ Student Government passed a resolution to equate university-imposed penalties for the use and possession of marijuana with those for the use and possession of alcohol on campus.\nThe harsher punishment for marijuana usage doesn’t force students to turn to alcohol, said Nicole Kreisberg, a Latin American studies and Texas Interdisciplinary Plan sophomore.\n“Illegal marijuana usage and under-aged drinking is partly due to its mysterious nature,” Kreisberg said. “Once college kids turn 21, the mysterious nature loses its appeal and they tend to be more responsible with alcohol.”