UA students may have noticed the recent emergence of marijuana leaves chalked on sidewalks, tables set up with information and students asking them to sign petitions. All of these initiatives are part of an effort to obtain 1,500 signatures by today to bring the question of punishment for marijuana-related offenses on campus to a vote in April.

"We believe our policy should reflect truth and justice, so we're calling on the university to equalize the punishments for marijuana and alcohol," said Jacob Holloway, who is working to place the question on the ballot through Students for Sensible Drug Policy. The campaign is sponsored through a partnership among SSDP, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER).

The question on the petition asks students, "Do you agree that university sanctions for the possession and use of marijuana should be no greater than those imposed by the university for the possession and use of alcohol, and that the university should establish a task force to develop, implement and study such a policy?"

This referendum, which will go to a student vote during the Associated Student Government election period in April provided that the group obtains enough valid student signatures, will "communicate the opinion of the student body that the university's sanctions for the possession and use of marijuana should not be any greater than those imposed by the university for the possession and use of alcohol."

Students who visited a table hosted by SAFER and NORML in front of the Arkansas Union this week asked the groups a myriad of questions about the initiative, such as, "Will this actually do anything?" and "Can I get in trouble for this?"

Though the initiative only needs 1,200 verified signatures for the question to be placed on the ballot, the groups are trying to obtain as many signatures as possible to create a buffer in case of problems. Students do not have to fear punishment by the university for signing the petition, as only the person who verifies that the signees are students will see the names.

The table in front of the Union also provided students with a variety of literature that promoted marijuana as being safer than alcohol and informed visitors that there is a large movement not only on campuses, but also in communities and police departments to legalize marijuana or assign it a lower priority.

A lower-priority initiative on the ballot during the November election passed with 66 percent of the vote in Fayetteville.

Students had varied reactions to the marijuana initiative - some in complete support, and some doubting its ability to actually create any change in policy.

"I think petitions like that are a waste of time and won't accomplish much, if anything," said Jon Ridley, a senior management major. "The university's rules have to coincide with local and state laws, and state laws have to go with national laws. So while cops might be lenient with underage drinking and the campus might be, too, they are definitely not lenient when it comes to drugs.

"If they were, it would cause campus to become a weed-safe haven for smokers and dealers and so on," he said.

Other students, however, agreed with the sponsoring groups that punishments for marijuana use should mirror those for alcohol use.

"I think that the university should consider the change because marijuana is just as safe as or safer than alcohol," said Brittany Hayes, a freshman political science major. "I don't think a policy should be implemented at all until the smoking policy either takes effect or is amended, preferably to include designated smoking areas on campus, though."

Holloway said he and other members of the sponsoring groups "are trying to spread consciousness and change the perception on marijuana.

"We see it making the ballot and passing," he said. "The big issue here is really creating awareness on drug reform issues."