PULLMAN - Thursday marked the beginning of Alcohol Awareness Month across the country. And at WSU, some students were promoting the idea of recreational drug users setting down their beer and picking up a joint.

Students For Sensible Drug Policy set up shop on the WSU campus in front of the CUB, comparing one drug to the other.

"Alcohol Awareness month basically for us is we're promoting SAFER, which is Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation," said Students for Sensible Drug Policy President Tyler Markwart. "We are providing students with a different alternative to alcohol, which is basically very very dangerous to students, causes overdoses. Basically what we are doing is providing an alternative such as marijuana which is a safe alternative for students who are looking for something else."

Markwart claims there is science backing up their message.

"Marijuana is much safer than alcohol because CB receptors are what the chemical THC and other cannabinoids bind to in your brain," said Markwart. "There is a very low amount of those in your brain stem, which operates your breathing and your heart rate. When alcohol is consumed, overdoses are generally caused by stopping your breathing or some other mechanism like that, usually choking on vomit. Marijuana won't ever cause you to die from an overdose. But overdoses will cause extended periods of sleep so if you haven't slept in a while you may want to overdose on marijuana."

The group is collecting signatures for I-1068, a Washington initiative that if passed, would legalize marijuana for people 18 and over.

"This will reduce the amount of harm on the community through illegal activities from gang members, other things like that, and help out the police," said Markwart.

Markwart said there are over 50 WSU students actively involved in the movement in one way or another.

One student said marijuana convictions affect students and their ability to afford an education.

"I got involved because students all over campus who've had drug charges aren't qualified for federal loans," said National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws member Claude Laude. "So they want to better their lives by going to school, but they can't pay for it."