cannabisnews.com: Pro-Marijuana Org. Asks Greek System for Support Pro-Marijuana Org. Asks Greek System for Support Posted by CN Staff on October 02, 2005 at 23:12:46 PT By Jackie Luskey Source: Daily Cardinal Wisconsin -- The national non-profit organization, Marijuana Policy Project, is asking fraternities and sororities at UW-Madison and other universities to raise money and awareness for its mission to make marijuana legal. Similar to other non-profits, like the American Cancer Society, the MPP has its own tax-deductible code for educational organizations. This makes it possible for groups such as fraternities and sororities to raise money for its causes. MPP mailed out information about its organization to over 2,220 Greek houses for universities in every state, including University of California-Berkeley and Cornell University. These mailings included 20 UW-Madison fraternities and sororities, including Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon."Basically, we are mailing to everybody that we could locate. We have the most comprehensive list of fraternities and sororities available," said Bruce Mirken, MPP's director of communications.The MPP chose to market to the Greek system because fraternities and sororities are large philanthropic groups easily able to arrange charity events, Mirken said. Money raised from Greek philanthropy would go to fund campaigns like MPP's current fight for medical marijuana legalization in Wisconsin. MPP successfully managed a similar campaign in Montana last November."If you rape somebody, you don't lose your student loan, but if you're caught with one joint in your dorm room, you do. Tell me in what alternative universe that makes sense? It's absolutely outrageous," Mirken said.The mailings have not yet reached the UW-Madison campus. However, those involved in the Greek system do not anticipate a warm response to MPP's request because of the political connection the MPP holds."It's not that we should be apathetic about political views, but this is something that you should support as an individual," said Drew Eshweiler, Interfraternity Council president and UW-Madison senior. "To tie it to a fraternity or sorority is improper use of your Greek organization." Having a politically minded philanthropy is difficult to put in place in a fraternity or sorority, where members have diverse political beliefs."Our Greek communities have national philanthropies and are for the betterment of society. There are so many different value systems within a Greek system. Some chapters may shy away from a political stance like this because a cause like it might not represent the views of all members of the chapter," said UW-Madison fraternity and sorority program advisor Barb Kautz."Fraternities and sororities are about brotherhood and sisterhood. They're not about political action, I feel. I think it's just stepping over some boundaries," Eschweiler said.Complete Title: Pro-Marijuana Org. Asks Greek System for Financial SupportSource: Daily Cardinal (WI Edu)Author: Jackie LuskeyPublished: Monday, October 3, 2005 Copyright: 2005 The Daily Cardinal Contact: letters dailycardinal.comWebsite: http://www.cardinal.wisc.edu/Related Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.orgIs My Medicine Legal Yet? http://www.immly.org/Marijuana Rally Speakers Demand Decriminalizationhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21156.shtmlMedical Marijuana Advocates Rally in Madison http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21155.shtmlCoffee With... Gary Storckhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21151.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 03, 2005 at 11:54:16 PT BGreen Chug, chug, puke! Too much! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by BGreen on October 03, 2005 at 11:40:56 PT If it doesn't involve drinking yourself to death The "greeks" want nothing to do with it.Chug, chug, chug ... now puke.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Hope on October 03, 2005 at 11:30:03 PT Mayan You wrote, "I wonder if this is hitting the U.S. media? It's a shame if we have to get our news across the pond!" It was a dark day for me to realize that we, citizens of the U.S., are treated exactly like we believed the citizens of the old Soviet Union were treated.We're treated like mushrooms by our so called leaders. We're kept in the dark and fed.....well...you know. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 03, 2005 at 08:24:38 PT Had Enough Thank you. When I watched the PBS special last week on the 60s, Peter Coyote said something that got to me. He said because Humphrey waited too long to say he was against the Vietnam War many people just didn't vote and Nixon won by 1%. He said how different things would be now and I feel that I must vote to get the Republicans out because I don't want to have that serious regret like Peter Coyote has.http://www.petercoyote.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Had Enough on October 03, 2005 at 08:13:14 PT FoM That is the spirit. Go Vote. Throughout centuries, many have died and suffered for freedom. The only thing a politician fears is loss of an election and position. Also tell your politicians what is on your mind. Tell them why you are voting for or against them. You get to see many facial expressions in the process.VOTE - VOTE - VOTE!!! WE THE PEOPLE demand it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on October 03, 2005 at 07:41:50 PT Brotherhood Ah yes, brothers and sisters....watch as your brother is chained and taken away by thugs, then sent home with no education because of the cruel marijauna laws. No problem, just pound another 5 tequila shots and laugh it off. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 03, 2005 at 07:30:28 PT Mayan He isn't liked for sure. I think it's next year that we can vote for a Democrat. My husband and I said we would probably vote just to do our best to get a Republican out of our state. I've never voted in a non presidential election and only twice ever that I remember but I agree with my husband even though he isn't into politics either that we must. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mayan on October 03, 2005 at 06:28:24 PT Overstepping? "Fraternities and sororities are about brotherhood and sisterhood. They're not about political action, I feel. I think it's just stepping over some boundaries," Eschweiler said.MPP isn't forcing anyone to do anything. Personally, I don't see how any student would not sympathize with MPP as students can lose financial aid for getting busted with minute amounts of weed. Even if they don't smoke it's an obviously flawed,counter-productive policy.FoM, your governor must really suck! His numbers are amazingly pathetic. I have a feeling most Ohioans now realize their state was stolen in the last election. I wonder how popular Ken Blackwell is now?Poll: Taft approval rating reaches historic low: http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-19/112828014232112.xml&storylist=clevelandIf anyone still doubts that Ohio was stolen...Complete US Exit Poll Data Confirms Net Suspicions: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0411/S00227.htm2004 Exit Poll "Red Shift" As Seen In Vote Numbers: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0411/S00270.htmThis is very damning for Bush...Iraq war delayed Katrina relief effort, inquiry finds: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article316682.eceI wonder if this is hitting the U.S. media? It's a shame if we have to get our news across the pond! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment