Students who get into legal trouble because of marijuana use or possession could find themselves fighting to change the rules.

The Penn State National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws gets many of its members by watching police reports in newspapers for marijuana offenders, said Chuck Thomas, executive director of Pennsylvania NORML.

When PS-NORML learns about student who has been arrested for a marijuana offense, the group will contact the student and offer help with the legal process, Thomas said.

"We contact them to see if we can be of any help," he said, adding that NORML provides the offender with emotional support, legal tips and help in finding a lawyer if there are constitutional grounds for the defense.

Thomas emphasized that recruiting members through police reports serves the students and PS-NORML.

"It's a dual function," he said. "It's not like we're using people who have legal problems."

When a student is made aware of marijuana-law issues through PS-NORML's legal assistance, he or she will often decide to join PS-NORML, Thomas said.

"Often they'll realize the importance (of marijuana law reform) and decide to stick around," he said.

Brad Bernstein (freshman-history) became a member of both PS-NORML and Student 1st Step, a voter registration group concerned with marijuana legalization, after being arrested last fall for a marijuana offense.

Although Bernstein said he probably would have joined the groups had he not been arrested, he emphasized the importance of the support he received from the groups.

"(I got) a lot of moral support and any legal questions or problems I had -- they knew all the answers," Bernstein said.

He said he would have had a traumatic time if there were no groups like PS-NORML and Student 1st Step on campus.

But some students disagree with the recruiting methods.

"I don't think that's right at all," said Holly Perkins (sophomore-exercise and sport science). "They're not getting just anybody to join their group" but people they're sure will be interested.

Perkins agreed that PS-NORML's legal knowledge could be beneficial to marijuana offenders.

"I guess that's going to help them out," she said.

But not all members are recruited through police reports.

"Basically, by doing our jobs, the word gets around," Thomas said. "People hear about it and are interested."

Thomas added that when students realize how much power they have to change policies, they become active in groups.

PS-NORML has about 250 members, Thomas said. However, like any student organization, about 30 or 40 consistently come to meetings, he said.