Frequently Asked Questions about NORML@UCF
Welcome Freshman, newcomers, and veterans alike! Meetings Wednesday @9pm in Student Union 218AB The 2010-2011 school year is around the corner. We hope you will show strong interests in joining NORML@UCF, the nation's #1 student run NORML! We are looking for bright committed students with a love for knowledge, justice, freedom, and marijuana reform. We hope this faq can answer some of your questions about NORML@UCF, but if not, please feel free to contact us.

Q: What is NORML?
A: We are a political activist group originally founded in 1970. First and foremost, we work to reform current US drug laws. NORML@UCF is not a pot smoking club! We believe in fundamental civil rights and freedoms, including the right to safely consume marijuana without threat of arrest or other injustice. We work to "normalize" marijuana in society by presenting facts and rational solutions for dealing with a psychoactive drug/medicine/industrial fiber that has been misrepresented and misunderstood for decades.

Q: Who does US prohibition policies of marijuana affect?
A: The drug war costs US taxpayers $600 every second; this does include all the indirect repercussions brought about by US policy. Prohibition, like alcohol temperance of the early 20th century, creates criminal black markets. These markets are highly profitable and fuel nationwide violence. Now with over 70 years of prohibition, marijuana use remains highly prevalent. Furthermore US policy imprisons hundreds of thousands non-violent offenders for using a drug that is safer than alcohol, tobacco, and even aspirin. Meanwhile we forego the billions of dollars in tax revenue and thousands of desperately needed jobs that would be created with in regulated cannabis market. With strict regulations, we could effectively remove the distribution of marijuana from harder drugs (like cocaine, pcp, and heroine) while keeping it away from our nation´s youth. The harms caused by prohibition are far worse than those of a harmless plant.

Q: How can I reach others in NORML@UCF and get involved?
A: Here are just a few easy ways to get started!
1.     Email our director of communications (communications@normlucf.com)
And join our email list
2.     Visit our table outside the union Mon-Thur from 10am-2pm.  Look for the green banner and come discuss your opinions of marijuana policy!
3.     Come visit the cubicle in OSI. The Office of Student Involvement is located on the second floor of the Student Union.  Our cubicle is hard to miss, but if you have trouble finding it, ask the front desk assistant.
4.     Come to a meeting, Our meetings are held every Wednesday at 9:00 pm in Student Union room 218 AB.

Q: How can I help change marijuana laws?
A: Here are a few easy ways to get started:

1. Write letters to your representatives! NORML.ORG has an easy to use template letter that can be customized to fit your message. 

2. Join NORML@UCF and the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy petitioning for the Decriminalization of Marijuana in Orlando. There are groups going out weekly and we only need 10,000 by 2012! Contact us for further information.

3. Sign a petition to legalize medical marijuana in Florida! Check out People United for Medical Marijuana PUFMM.ORG or drop by the NORML@UCF table.

4. Spread knowledge! Talk to your friends, family, or anybody about the injustices of marijuana prohibition. Check out our education section. Keep up with current events as well as the fundamentals [history, common sense, workings of congress (last two may not necessarily coincide)] after you have pulled your thoughts together, call your districts’ representative and le