Bakersfield College will soon be getting a new club. BC NORML, which stands for National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, is going through the necessary process to become an official club.
Candace Stamper, political science major, will be the club’s president and math professor Rafael Espericueta will be its adviser.
NORML works for education on marijuana and marijuana laws. It also works for tolerance and safe access to patients using medicinal marijuana.
According to NORML’s website, its mission is “to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.” NORML believes responsible use includes limiting use to adults only, no driving, right set and setting, resisting abuse and respect for others’ rights.
The pending club already has a few members.
“Currently, there are about five or six of us. We’re small, but the marijuana movement is taking off right now, and I’m sure we’ll gather more members,” said Stamper. “Anyone can join NORML. NORML, obviously, is not discriminatory. We love everybody and want decriminalization for all.”
The club’s last meeting was held Oct. 21, where Stamper read her report from the national NORML conference, which was held in Los Angeles Oct. 12-13. The club also continued its organization.
“We’re planning some rallies, possibly one on campus if allowed, to speak about the local closing dispensaries for medical marijuana in Bakersfield and their owners who have been unjustly charged for helping patients. We will also be working on vast education of marijuana to the populace of BC and the county of Kern. We’ve got some lofty goals and right now it’s just a matter of achieving them,” said Stamper.
“I really want the college kids to know about this and get involved,” added Stamper, “It’s the biggest movement on the rise right now and people want decriminalization. So I’m hoping that this year will be exciting for the Bakersfield area because we are a focus right now.”