Mitch Earleywine, a University at Albany psychology professor, is described as "popular" by the university's newspaper. That's likely due in part to his pro-marijuana advocacy, but Earleywine recently received the Excellence in Teaching Award at the university's 2009 President's Awards for Excellence ceremony in May.

Earleywine, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Indiana University, has taught classes like Addictive and Compulsive Behaviors, which aims to "provide an overview of alcohol, drug use, and gambling as examples of addictive behaviors," according to the UAlbany undergraduate bulletin. Earleywine also believes that America's young people have been lied to about the use of marijuana, and is on the advisory board for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

"Kids go through all of middle school, all of high school" with the notion that marijuana use will hinder them, Earleywine said. He has concluded through his studies that marijuana smokers have been perceived unfairly by society. "The subsets [of the population] that try marijuana aren't unmotivated slugs," he said.

The student turnout for the awards ceremony was overwhelming, with the largest and loudest ovation of all recipients going to Earleywine. Many of the students came out to see the "drug teacher" one last time before they graduated, some even carrying a copy of his 2002 book, "Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence."

On ratemyprofessors.com, a Web site that allows students to rate instructors, Earleywine has 49 total ratings with a 4.6 overall rating based on a scale of five. Many of the ratings rave about Earleywine's Addictive and Compulsive Behaviors class.

We need more people like this who are willing to talk about pot and ask real questions and give real answers. To hear more go to:

http://www.420magazine.com/forums/international-cannabis-news/96466-popu...