University's first pro-marijuana legalization RSO approved
Proponents of legalized medical and recreational marijuana now have a group on campus to help advance their cause.
Student Advocates for Medical and Recreational Cannabis, the latest registered student organization at Central Michigan University, was officially approved last Thursday.
President Ian Elliott jump started this project within the first month of his freshman year. According to Elliott, the RSO is dedicated to advocating the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana and educating the CMU community about the subject.
“It’s a professional group,” the Cheboygan freshman said. “It’s about changing policy. It’s about bringing positive leadership to this issue.”The legalization of marijuana is a subject Elliott feels strongly about, and he created the RSO because he saw a lack of leadership within the movement.
“It is a good place and time in our country’s history to get this going,” Elliott said. “I was surprised CMU didn’t already have a group similar to this.”
Elliott admits legalizing marijuana is a sensitive subject for many people.
“It’s a difficult issue to talk about,” Elliott said. “But the way I see it, I don’t think any great cause is ever very easy.”
There are currently five members of the group, but, according to Elliott, many students have expressed interest in joining. The RSO’s executive board has promoted the group through word of mouth, and an estimated 40 people are expected at their first meeting on Sept. 29.
Elliott encourages anyone with a passion or interest in the subject to become involved in the RSO.
“Having a wide variety of member is really going to help us,” Elliott said.
Elliott and the RSO’s executive board are determined to conduct the group with professionalism. According to Elliott, the members of the RSO are completely dedicated to the movement they believe in.
“As a group, we want to conduct ourselves in a positive and responsible way,” he said. “Our members are hard-working and responsible students who are committed to this issue.”
The RSO’s first year at CMU will begin with a few kickoff events. Its main priority, however, will be to spread awareness of the group throughout campus.
Elliott has been diligently communicating with other college organizations similar to Student Advocates of Medical and Recreational Cannabis. He has also been in contact with state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, who is in favor of the decriminalization of recreational marijuana.
“(Irwin) gave me some direction of where the policy is at right now in the state of Michigan,” Elliott said.
Elliott believes there are many students on campus who are passionate about this issue, and by working together, they will create change in policy.
“I am determined to empower others to put their passion into action,” Elliott said.
