If you go

What: CU NORML's first meeting: Fall Harvest

When: Tuesday October, 14

Where: Ramaley C250

Cost: Free

www.normlcu.com

Members of a University of Colorado group that advocates the reform of marijuana laws will be distributing free pipes on the campus tonight as a way to draw more people to its first meeting of the academic year.

Sponsored by The Fitter on The Hill, the meeting of CU's chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws will be from 7 to 8 p.m. in Ramaley Biology, Room C250.

CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard said the decision to pass out pipes at a campus function is counter to the goal of diminishing the group's "party" stigma, but it's not considered a violation in the eyes of administrators.

"They are exercising a protected demonstration of symbolic free speech," Hilliard said, although he noted the method demonstrates a "long-standing tactical disagreement" between the group and university officials.

Alex Douglas, a CU junior and coordinator for the NORML chapter, said the chapter does not condone the breaking of existing pot laws but rather focuses on using existing legal channels to reform them.

"Our biggest goal is to inform people that there is a way to stand up for your human rights, and we are trying to give them the right to make that choice," Douglas said.

He said the purpose of tonight's meeting is to "introduce ourselves and what we're all about to anybody who is interested."

"There will also be free food, games, a know-your-rights training session, and a documentary-style film called 'Never Get Busted,'" he said.

Founded in February of 2007 by then-sophomore Summer Weirich, CU's NORML chapter has strived to educate students about the effects, use and legality of marijuana, in addition to advocating the reform of marijuana laws at local, statewide and national levels.

About 75 registered student members and an additional 200 students frequent the organization's monthly meetings and events. But Weirich said not everyone involved with the group is a pot smoker.

"There are people in our group who do not smoke or eat marijuana -- including members of the board of directors and regular club members," she said. "They just believe that you should have the right to choose."

Lawrence Frey, a professor in the CU communication department who teaches classes that look at issues of social action, said students involved in the group are applying the skills they are learning in class to a subject they are passionate about.

"You might not agree with their position, but it's hard to disagree with their desire to try to make a difference in society," Frey said. "We want civically engaged students. I have my own views, but to the extent that they engage in civic discourse, critical thinking, public speaking and collaborating with others, groups like this contribute to academic and personal development."