Marijuana Policy Project

Speakers from around the country will gravitate towards one location on Saturday to speak up against the war on drugs and the problems associated with it.

The ISU chapter of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy will host the annual Midwest Regional Conference on April 19 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in, and around, Schroeder room 130.

"The speakers are basically going to be talking about the drug war, spreading awareness of drug policy reform, medical marijuana and problems with the drug war," Stephanie Wolter, vice president of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, said.

One of the speakers at the event Pete Guither, faculty advisor for Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, will discuss the current drug policy as it relates to a national level at 1:30 p.m. He will also present a workshop titled "Elevator Arguments" at 11:30 a.m.

"[Elevator Arguments] is on how to give a quick argument on drug policy reform when the only time you have is while you're riding the elevator with someone. So how to do it in 30 seconds or less," Guither said.

At 2:30, Julie Falco will speak on behalf on the legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois. Falco has lived with multiple sclerosis for 22 years.

"She uses medical marijuana even though it's illegal in the state. She's been working very hard to get that changed and that's what keeps her going," Guither said.

Jim Gierach, of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, is a former prosecutor who has become an advocate to end the war on drugs. He will present his lecture at 3:30.

"He is part of a nationwide organization of former judges, police officers and DEA agents who believe the drug war is causing more harm and should be changed," Guither said.

One of the purposes of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy is to raise awareness and supply individuals with education on drug policy and effects of the drug war.

"We're just really interested in spreading education on our campus, and we really like helping teach other students on what is going on right now," Wolter said.

Guither and members of SSDP believe the effects of the drug war have been more negative than positive. The drug war does not alleviate the damage of drug abuse.

"It sets up a whole series of other problems from creating a profitable black market, to denying sick people the medicine they need, to preventing us to use benefits such as industrial hemp to the damage that it does in the communities where there are racial effects on the drug war," Guither said.

Other speakers presenting on Saturday include Ben Masel, political activist and advocate for industrial hemp, Mary Price, with Family's Against Mandatory Minimums, and Kathleen Kane-Willis, of Roosevelt University Institute for Metropolitan Affairs, among others.

Throughout the day videos will be shown on the drug war, and informational tables about drug policy will be available for the individuals who attend.

For a complete list of events during the Midwest Regional Conference for SSDP, students or anyone interested in attending can visit the Midwest SSDP Conference group on Facebook.