UT junior Michael Becker was terminated from campus housing during his freshman year for smoking marijuana.

He felt fortunate that he wasn’t suspended, but also felt that the reason he was kicked off campus was unjust.

This event inspired Becker to start a NORML chapter on campus.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has chapters all over the world including three universities in Florida: UF, UCF and FSU.

UT’s chapter is not official yet, but Becker is in the process of making it one.

A NORML chapter at UT would be able to work with other Florida university chapters to educate the community on the misconceptions of marijuana, the uses and benefits of hemp and marijuana reform.

Becker said his goal is to start with legalization of hemp.

According to HempUSA.org, “Some people have called hemp the plant of 30,000 uses.”

Hemp can be used to make paper, clothing, building supplies, wood substitutes and even healthy food for your dog or cat.

Currently research is being conducted on the use of hemp to make biodegradable plastic and alternative fuel.

Since 1973, 13 state legislatures have enacted laws decriminalizing the use and posession of marijuana.

“We will discuss what the community wants from the club because it is not just about me,” said Becker at a meeting. “I represent a voice of the counter-culture at UT.”

He said the members of the organization “have not met much opposition because we are realists and accept the fact that marijuana is still illegal.

With that being said, we are a group of individuals doing our part to connect to others who share certain perceptions based upon experiences.”

This club is not just about activism. Becker also would like to host a movie night showing “Refer Madness,” a propaganda movie from the ’30s that showed marijuana users going crazy because of it.

Although some of the members of the organization prefer to remain anonymous, Becker would like to thank everyone involved for the influence they have provided him.

He would also like to give credit to the president of the FSU chapter for his help in organizing the one at UT.

According to a survey, many students are not aware of NORML’s UT chapter or the world wide organization.

Becker challenged those who call marijuana users lazy. “We challenge you to a race, a game of wits, anything you can do we can do too…except pass a drug test…maybe.”

Everyone is invited to NORML meetings– including the opposition. Becker requested those interested to show up early to “debate.”

For more information about UT’s NORML, email Becker at norml@ut.edu, and for more information on the organization go to http://www.norml.org.