|
Red & Black (UGA): University logo policy stirs marijuana advocacy group |
|
Written by Tiffany Stevens
|
|
Thursday, 19 February 2009 |
|
A T-shirt depiction of Hairy Dawg smoking marijuana at the Arch has
stirred the copyright debate between a student marijuana advocacy group
and the University.
The University chapter of the Georgia National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws held a press conference Thursday discussing
what the group describes as the hypocrisy of the University's stance on
recreational drugs. "We have launched a grassroots campaign to respectfully call out and
stop the hypocrisy of UGA," said John Hill, treasurer of GA NORML. "UGA
officials should leave GA NORML alone and stop sending its dangerous
'alcohol only' message towards students."
NORML was asked by the Center for Student Organizations "to surrender any and all remaining T-shirts that carry the logo/trademark violation to the Center for Student Organizations" by Wednesday, despite being told by a CSO official that it was alright for them to distribute their shirts after a previous warning to surrender.
Joshua Podvin, the assistant director for student activities and organization, told The Red & Black earlier this week the final decision was made by the Office of Legal Affairs.
Others say that the Hairy Dawg depiction is protected under free speech for political satire.
Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation teamed up with GA NORML students on Wednesday to begin a "Stop the Hypocrisy" campaign.
Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER, said in a press release that Hairy Dawg is a public figure, and the group was employing political satire.
"Surely UGA's lawyers are aware of the sound legal precedent that protects the freedom to such political speech," Tvert wrote. "The administration simply dislikes the marijuana-related content of that speech."
A Georgia lawyer said the University may be able to claim infringement on NORML's use of Hairy Dawg and the Arch on their T-shirts.
"It was obvious [NORML] was copying the image. They wanted to use Hairy Dawg and use the Arch, which are clearly Georgia trademarks," said Eugene Butt, a civil disputes lawyer based in Covington, who is not affiliated with the University.
NORML's argument for a parody or political satire might not work, Butt said, because "it's not ridiculing Hairy Dawg. They're trying to use Hairy Dawg as their emblem ... it's not using satire to make a point. Their point is that they're an advocacy group for marijuana use. I clearly don't think it's a parody."
According to Tvert, objective studies on marijuana have found it safer than alcohol.
The conference tried to compare the University's stance on alcohol use versus its drug policy.
"Alcohol contributes to overdose deaths, injuries, sexual assaults and date rapes, whereas the use of marijuana does not," said Tvert. "Why is it OK for UGA to put its logos on shot glasses and other alcohol-related paraphernalia - and sell it to students and visitors at the campus bookstore - but not OK for Georgia NORML to depict Hairy Dawg making the safer choice to use marijuana instead?"
GA NORML presented an array of alcohol paraphernalia that could be purchased at the University's bookstore, and pointed out that one particular shot glass listed "freshman" and "sophomore" on the side.
"How many freshmen or sophomores do you know that are 21, by choice?" said Hill. "We're wondering why UGA is making alcohol so appealing to their students, especially their freshmen and sophomores."
The group distributed bumper stickers and a petition that advocated the support of Proposition 42, a law that would decriminalize marijuana in Georgia.
The law would state that those found with less than seven grams of marijuana would be subject only to a $100 penalty.
"Alcohol is obviously the more dangerous choice, and the law should reflect that," said Hill. "When you can lose your HOPE scholarship due to a plant that has never killed anyone in the history of its use, then the law needs to be revised."
GA NORML members also gathered wearing shirts with the controversial picture in question.
Efforts to reach the Office of Legal Affairs for University comment were unsuccessful Thursday afternoon.
|
