cannabisnews.com: Two Days in Jail, $5 Fine for Pot!





Two Days in Jail, $5 Fine for Pot!
Posted by FoM on May 20, 1999 at 08:23:44 PT
Source: Express News
SAN MARCOS A 23-year-old former student at Southwest Texas State University who said he smoked a marijuana cigarette to challenge the university's "zero tolerance" policy against drugs was sentenced Wednesday to two days in jail and fined $5.
Bryan Anderson could have faced a sentence of 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 after a Hays County jury found him guilty. But defense lawyer David Sergi asked the jury to send a message to Southwest Texas State University that its zero-tolerance drug policy is draconian. Hays County Assistant District Attorney Tate Saunders asked the jury to send a message that San Marcos will enforce drug laws. Sergi claimed victory when the jury came back Wednesday with its sentence. Anderson was arrested last year after challenging the university's zero-tolerance policy by lighting a marijuana cigarette on the "free expression" area of the SWT Quad. Anderson testified he smoked the marijuana so he could file a civil lawsuit challenging the university policy, which he believes is unconstitutional. He told the jury he had worked on a letter-writing campaign, helped collect 2,000 petition signatures and helped pass legislation in SWT's student government opposing the policy, which mandates a one-year suspension for students caught with drugs. None of his actions had any effect. He said he was inspired by Henry David Thoreau's "On Civil Disobedience" and the examples of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks to challenge the policy through civil disobedience. "I felt what I did was my duty as a citizen," Anderson said. "No other policy at SWT mandates a oneyear suspension. We have people convicted of robbery, rape, still allowed to pursue their education. "I would not call myself a troublemaker," he said. "I would call myself an active citizen. "This was my expression," Anderson said. "This was my political speech." Anderson is serving his year suspension from SWT, but he and Sergi said they plan to file a civil lawsuit against the university soon. Saunders said he was offended by Anderson comparing himself to King and Parks because he too used civil disobedience to try to change a policy he disagreed with. "Rosa Parks was fighting against inequality," he said. "Bryan Anderson is fighting just for his right to get high. "Do you want to send a message to drug dealers around San Marcos, the state and possibly the country that you can go out and smoke marijuana and cry free speech and get off scot-free?" Saunders asked the jury. "Or do you want to send a message that the laws of Texas mean something in San Marcos?" The jury of three men and three women took 25 minutes to find Anderson guilty and just 10 minutes to set his sentence. "I don't agree with legalizing marijuana," juror Janet Roberts said. "But I do think each case should be considered individually, not just a blanket two-semester suspension for everyone." Sergi and Anderson claimed victory after the sentence was read. "The community has spoken loudly and clearly," Sergi said. "The university should listen to what this jury told them." 
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Comment #3 posted by Ulysses on May 20, 1999 at 19:57:20 PT:
absurd laws
The "zero tolerance" policy against drugs is really pathetic and violates the freedom of the studentbody. Such policies are only made to extinguish freedom of expression and thought, which this country is plagued with. The feds are a bunch of assholes-same with the educational establishment authorities.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 20, 1999 at 10:02:41 PT
must have plenty of savings
Boy you are right Rainbow! Gosh, I'm glad there are people out there willing to be a martyr for the cause! They are my heros!Peace, FoM!
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Comment #1 posted by rainbow on May 20, 1999 at 09:37:52 PT:
must have plenty of savings
This is great except now the Feds will put him on the list and not allow him a student loan.The government is just not for the people.CheersRainbow
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