Changing People, Changing

Laws
Presented by Mason Tvert
College of DuPage
Feb. 5, 2008
 Why is marijuana
illegal?
• Racism against blacks & Hispanics
• Political opportunism
• Religion & Morality
• Gateway Theory
• Etc.

Perception of
 D.A.R.E.
By Mason Tvert
Essay
A++
There are two kinds of drugs. Some drugs
are okay if you are old enough to use
them like alcohol and tobacco. Other
drugs are bad and can hurt you if use
them like marijuana, heroin, and LSD.
You should never use these drugs. If
someone offers you these bad drugs
JUST SAY NO!
Marijuana is
SAFER
HARMFUL
than Alcohol!
 If we want to
Change the Law
we must
Change the
People
 Old News
high-grade pot may cause schizophr

Victim had marijuana in system

Stoned man shoots self in foot

Pedophile lured kids with demon weed

 New News
Marijuana prohibition debated

Voters approve lightening pot penalties

Students support marijuana measure

Group says Marijuana Safer Than Alcohol

KEYS to SUCCESS
1. ACCURACY &
PROFESSIONALISM

2. CREATIVITY & HUMOR

3. TIMING & LUCK

The College Experience
brought to you by…
 SAFER Colleges
• University of Colorado-Boulder
2005

• Colorado State University

• University of Texas-Austin
2006

• Florida State University

• University of Maryland
• University of Washington
2007

• The George Washington University

2008

• College of DuPage???
 DENVER 2005
Art. 5, Div. 3, Sec. 38-175 (Revised Municipal Code)

It shall be unlawful for any person

under the age of twenty-one

(21)
to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
 In the End
• Less than $30k total
• Two staff members (first campaign)
• Few volunteers, many doubters
• City Council, Mayor, Police, Prosecutors,
Newspapers, Pollsters said “NO”
• Denver voters said YES (53.5%)
• TONS of media coverage ($100k’s)
 Colorado 2006
Art. 18, Sec. 18-406 (Colorado State Statutes)

It shall be unlawful for any person

under the age of twenty-one

(21)
to possess up to one ounce of marijuana.
 “Snarky
and
juvenile…”
White House Press Sec. Tony Snow
from Air Force One
 In the End
• Just over $200k total
• Two staff members (first statewide)
• Hundreds of volunteers
• Governor, AG, Local officials, Police, Prosecutors,
Newspapers said “NO”
• Colorado voters said NO (41%)
• Some counties said YES (13)
• More Denver voters said YES (55.5%)
• Some newspapers and officials said YES
• TONS of media coverage ($1.5+ million)
 Denver 2007
• Adult marijuana possession the city’s
“lowest law enforcement priority”

• Establish Marijuana Policy Review

Panel to implement and study law
 In the End
• Less than $65k total
• Two staff members
• Dozens and dozens of volunteers
• City Council, Mayor, Police, Prosecutors, and
Newspapers said “NO”
• Denver voters said YES (57%)
• Big organizations said YES
• Tons of media coverage
• Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel
 Creating Change
• Young people fuel social movements
• Get more people involved, make them
care
• Use creativity/humor to reach out to a
larger audience and make it stick
• Look and act professional, establish
credibility
• Make it urgent/important with actions
• Capitalize on those actions to convey
message
 If we can
Change the
People
we can
Change the
 Mason Tvert
mason@saferchoice.org
303-861-0033

www.SaferChoice.org