BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Earlier this week the Vermont State Senate yanked a bill that would have legalized marijuana dispenseries. But the pot debate isn't over.

Thursday -- the beginning of alcohol awareness month -- a student at the University of Vermont joined others around the country with a similar message to say that smoking marijuana is safer than getting drunk.

The students behind the movement want more relaxed consequences for marijuana violations.

"The more people you inform, the more people who are supportive, the sooner we can get some policies changed," said UVM sophomore Brendan Miller.

Students said penalties are harsher for marijuana violations than for alcohol. But the dean of students said that's not true.

"Unequal judicial responses are related to the specifics of individual cases, not to the category of the offense," said dean of students Dave Nestor. "For example, quantity raises the ante for both kinds of violations.

"Dean Nestor said UVM has no plans of changing its policies.