cannabisnews.com: Pot Policy Draconian, But Pot is Illegal





Pot Policy Draconian, But Pot is Illegal
Posted by CN Staff on October 22, 2004 at 11:48:59 PT
By DI Editorial Board
Source: Daily Iowan
Students living in the UI's residence halls are warned of the stiff penalties that exist for drug possession and use in the dorms. Thus, when the UI police receive notice that the noisy occupants of a specific room are burning more than candles (which, by the way, is also prohibited), the offenders get burned by the university's policy. Because of the zero-tolerance policy currently in place, students caught with marijuana in one of the university's residence halls are often evicted, even for first offenses.
As a result, the UI Students for Sensible Drug Policy recently drafted and circulated a resolution to reform these policies, collecting more than 1,000 student and faculty signatures in support of the resolution. The group presented the resolution to the UISG Student Assembly on Tuesday, arguing that education and assistance should be emphasized for offenders over stiff penalties that are imposed now. The resolution was not passed because of its wording - assembly members were concerned that no distinction was made between marijuana and other illicit drugs, such as cocaine. Plans are already underway to rewrite the resolution and present it again in November.We can sympathize with the Students for Sensible Drug Policy's view on this issue - that immediate eviction for possessing a bag of pot is too punitive - but we would also point out that marijuana is an illegal substance, according to state and federal law. In this respect, it's different from alcohol, which the university needs to account for through its policies. The two substances cannot be placed in the same category because one is permissible (for those of legal age) and the other is not. That's why students caught with alcohol in the dorms aren't ordinarily evicted on the first offense (unless they possess large quantities) while students caught with marijuana often are.One of the arguments behind this effort is that, as noted by UISG Vice President Jason Shore, some students caught with illegal substances in the residence halls are forced to drop out of school after their evictions. This is a legitimate concern. A first-year student found to be in possession of pot should not have to end her or his academic career simply because of one act of poor judgment. To this end, residence-hall officials need to ensure that violators are given ample time to find alternative housing if they are evicted. Education and assistance should also be emphasized for offenders, but only while acknowledging that marijuana is illegal. Being in possession of it ordinarily results in arrest and incarceration.It is for this reason that the UI's zero-tolerance policy toward marijuana and other illicit substances in the dorms is not wholly unjustified. Many may not agree with the legal status of marijuana in this country - in its Oct. 6 editorial, the DI suggested that legal penalties for pot possession are too harsh, leading to overcrowded jails and costly trials - but this is not within the university's scope of jurisdiction. Therefore, campus policies need to correspond with laws set forth by the state. This is why 19-year-olds are prohibited from consuming alcohol on university property.We recognize the apparent draconian nature of the university's drug policies but also recognize the need to uphold the law, as insensible as it may be. To dorm residents, we offer one simple suggestion: Don't break the rules, and you won't be penalized.Source: Daily Iowan, The (IA Edu)Published: Friday, October 22, 2004 Copyright: 2004 The Daily IowanContact: daily-iowan uiowa.eduWebsite: http://www.dailyiowan.com/Related Article & Web Site:SSDPhttp://www.ssdp.org/Pot Prohibition Equals Blowing Smoke http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19599.shtml
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