SAFER, a non-profit organization, is urging universities across America to "go green," and it's not talking about the environment.

Safer Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation is dedicated to supporting marijuana reform laws and argues smoking marijuana can be less harmful for students than binge drinking.

The Denver-based organization believes strict marijuana policies on college campuses are shying students away from marijuana and steering them toward alcohol. SAFER believes if marijuana policies are changed and the substance becomes more accessible, campuses may see a reduction in binge drinking, and thus less alcohol-related violence and deaths.

"College students base their choices not on the harm of the substance, but on the harm of the penalties," said Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER.

To promote its cause, SAFER is calling on university presidents to sign the Emerald Initiative, which asks campuses to lower on-campus marijuana penalties and support the general cause of reforming marijuana laws.

The Emerald Initiative is modeled after the Amethyst Initiative, which calls for the drinking age of 21 to be lowered, arguing it only promotes underage binge drinking and leads to alcohol-related deaths and injuries.

The Emerald Initiative, which states, "it is time to explore the benefits of encouraging students to ‘party responsibly' rather than ‘drink responsibly,'" will be distributed to university presidents and ask them to open up debate about providing students with alternatives to alcohol.

SAFER is focusing on university presidents who have already signed the Amethyst Initiative, as they may be more likely to agree. While the Emerald Initiative is still being constructed, college students have taken up the initiative's cause through their own activism. At schools like Florida State University, the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Maryland, students have passed referendums reforming the school's marijuana laws.

Elon University President Leo Lambert declined to comment. Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of student life, said Elon is "currently not taking a position" on the issue of marijuana reform laws.

While Jackson admitted some of the problems related to alcohol abuse, such as aggressive and violent behavior, aren't seen as much with marijuana, he stressed the drug comes with its own set of problems.Particularly, Jackson described the motivational problems and decline in academic performance seen in students who frequently use marijuana.

Elon has prepared its own initiative to reduce alcohol abuse on campus, the Presidential Task Force on Alcohol, which is composed of Elon faculty and administrators. The goals of the task force, as listed in the "Report of the Presidential Task Force on Alcohol," written in December of 2007, lists 34 recommendations to "lead a campus-wide effort to further reduce the role of alcohol consumption in campus life." These recommendations include the requirement for first-year students to take 19 hours as the normal course load, increase funding for alcohol-free programming and lease off-campus student housing such as "The Bottom" of Sheridan Place.

None of the task force's recommendations include reducing marijuana penalties. Students should not expect to see Elon's administration taking on the cause of marijuana reform. An Elon sophomore who wishes to remain anonymous for legal implications, said "I live off-campus, and there are plenty of nights my friends and I skip the party scene just to chill and smoke. There are so many more dangers that come with drinking, and I think if universities began to acknowledge that, they'd definitely see fewer alcohol-related problems."

Elon's First Offense Sanctions for Illegal Possession or Use of Marijuana

Normally, not less than preliminary suspension with possible disciplinary suspension, 25 campus restitution hours, $100 fine, attendance at a drug education program at student's expense and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within five days.)   

Elon's First Offense Sanctions for Public Consumption and/or Possession of Alcohol