Two student organizations will host a U.S. drug policy forum today in Dale Hall to discuss negative effects current drug laws have on society.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Students for a Democratic Society have come together to organize “Teach-In: The Failure of U.S. Drug Policy.” Students for Sensible Drug Policy President Kaylee Burton said this is the first time she knows of that two organizations have come together to host a forum about a topic like drug policy.

“One of our main goals with this forum is to get people talking about issues that have developed because of our country’s failed drug policies and to inspire our peers to actively seek the change they wish to see,” said Burton, professional writing senior.

Burton said many of the negative effects of the U.S. drug policy is the overcrowding of prisons and the increasing number of the prison population which increases taxes. Burton said many non-violent offenders who are incarcerated for possession of marijuana are put into jail with violent offenders. Burton said marijuana is considered as bad as cocaine.

“Marijuana is one of the least harmful drugs on Earth,” Burton said. “It has never caused a single death. Marijuana is scheduled as class 1 narcotic. It puts it on a list with heroine and cocaine.”

Burton said the issue is not just about marijuana, but also the lack of common sense the U.S. drug policy has, how taboo it is to talk about drugs like marijuana and how much that fear can put people at risk because they feel like they can’t seek out answers. Burton said people shouldn’t feel afraid of asking questions and making informed decisions.

“We need to make those informed decisions and take pride in the democratic process,” she said. “You’ve got to keep your kids thinking so they’re not afraid to ask questions of their government. It’s not just about drugs; it’s about process and becoming an informed adult.”

William White, Students for a Democratic Society member, said his organization feels people should be informed about U.S. drug laws and why some should be changed. The social work sophomore said 13 states have decriminalized marijuana and have been able to free up prison space and save money.

“We do feel that if you decriminalize marijuana then it’ll free up discussion for more important legal issues,” White said.

On the issue of decriminalization, White said his own personal opinion is he knows people who use marijuana medically, and from what he sees, it helps them, which is a good thing.

Norman resident Drew Cook, who recreationally smokes marijuana, said he doesn’t think the government is likely to change its policy because incarcerating citizens is a moneymaker.

Cook said legalizing marijuana would allow for taxation, but taxes are a set income. He said all a person has to do is ask, and one can find out that it’s more money to keep prisons full.

“You’ve got to look at the private-owned prisons,” Cook said. “They’ll admit they make a lot of money on inmates. It’s a great way to shift around stimulus dollars.”

The open forum will start at 6 p.m. in Dale Hall, room 103. Burton said speakers will include Susan Sharp, OU women’s studies and sociology professor; Norma Sapp, executive director of the Oklahoma state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws; and Gwendolyn Fields, district chief of Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Oklahoma City.

Burton said a question-and-answer forum will follow after all the speakers have spoken.

“Whatever questions people have, people can talk about them,” Burton said. “We’ll be happy to talk about them.”