Weed, pot, ganja and cannabis: it’s all NORML.

Loyola’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws gathered on Jan. 24 in Satchmo’s to discuss the stance, progress and future of the club.

The goal for NORML is to become the most active college chapter.The organization wishes to hold demonstrations such as a celebration of 4:20, Weed Day, or holding flash protests.

Josh Warren, political science sophomore and executive director of NORML, led the group in a discussion of ways to publicize the club. Notions of YouTube channels and Facebook groups arose.

They decided that the YouTube channel would not only educational but also artistic in such a way that members would be able to express their run-ins and experiences with marijuana.

“We don’t want to hold anyone back in any way,” Warren said. NORML welcomed 20 students to its meeting on Jan. 24.

“Before I came to Loyola, I looked to see if they had a NORML,” said Pearl Stanley, general studies freshman.

The purpose of Loyola’s chapter of NORML is not to attack Loyola or its administrators but to inform students about the new reform policy and the benefits of marijuana, claimed by the parent organization of NORML, according to the NORMAL website, Warren, and Blaine Simon, theatre communication freshman.

Warren said, “Pot is the new currency in the underworld, and 900,000 people went to jail last year for marijuana possession.”

Keeping with Jesuit values, the organization plans to do community service.

This would reiterate the motto of NORML that drug users are not criminals and the organization is for the bettering and educating of the community.

NORML has not set up a regular time and date to conduct meetings, but will soon have a Facebook page where students will be able to follow and stay up-to-date on what NORML is doing.

Jasmine Barnes can be reached at [email protected]