Arriving to political events on time, courteous and prepared with knowledge can help in the battle toward marijuana decriminalization, activists said Sunday afternoon.

"To undo 80 years of false propaganda is a big job," Jax Finkel said. "Cracking that shell open is hard work, but well worth it, so have the patience. This is not a sprint - this is a marathon, so have the endurance for it."

Finkel is the executive director of the Texas branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. In a training program hosted by Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, the Austin-based activist suggested treating media and political representatives with respect and civility. And leave the dreadlocks and tie-dyed shirts at home - she also recommended dressing professionally to avoid any negative stereotypes some folks might have of marijuana users.

Seventy-six percent of Texans support some type of reform of marijuana laws, she told about 20 people in a Holiday Inn Express meeting room.

"We're seeing that Texans are supporting that change, and our government needs to catch up with that."

Texans for Respsonsible Marijuana Policy is a coalition representing Texas NORML and about 25 other groups.

Members would ideally prefer marijuana be legalized or decriminalized. Meanwhile, they're also working on smaller goals such as wider availability of medical marijuana and court alternatives to arrests and jail time for offenders.

"I would love to see total decriminalization, (but) that's a long shot right now," Larry Walden said. "It's baby steps."

Walden, executive director of Hub City NORML, Lubbock's branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the group encourages others to become politically active.

"Our ultimate goal is to get people educated and to start contacting their representatives and get some laws changed," he said.

Many activists feel prosecution of casual marijuana users is a wasteful use of law enforcement resources, and an unfair way to stigmatize them with a criminal record.

About 72,000 Texans are arrested for possession each year, Finkel said, and their cases cost taxpayers an average of $10,000 each.

The speaker continued that 90 percent of burglaries are left unsolved, as are half of reported sexual assaults and a quarter of murders. She described her own frustration as a robbery victim, routinely calling police to question when they would test the fingerprints they had collected, then giving up after about nine months.

The hours it takes to arrest and process a suspect for marijuana possession could be better spent investigating crimes with victims, she suggested.

Hub City NORML

What: Local branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Public meetings time: 4-6 p.m. second Saturday of each month

Public meetings location: Schlotzsky's deli, 3715 19th St.

More information: larryewalden@gmail.com

josephine.musico@lubbockonline.com

766-8796

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