THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

In February 1968, students returned from winter break to rumors of a
marijuana bust. The rumor suggested the raid would occur in the early
morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 4. In anticipation, students flushed the
illegal substance down toilets, smoked it and even buried it in the
Arts Quad.

The rumored bust, came to be known as "The Great Pot Bust Hoax," never
occurred. It is believed that the University spread the rumor
intentionally, concerned about the "deluge of grass" predicted to
occur as students returned to campus from various city areas after the
break.

The hoax came after an announcement from a Joint Committee of the New
York State Senate stating plans to investigate drug traffic at
Cornell. A.J. Mayer and Howard A. Rodman, in a co-written article
about the incident, stated the prominence of drug use in freshmen
residence halls and fraternities. To counter-act the usage, dorm
counselors were taught to recognize the smell of grass.

The authors noted the "deleterious effects" of marijuana usage, such
as "paranoia," and -- quoted from an in-depth report -- the "possibly
detrimental effects to educational environment." The article further
stated the inability of the University to enforce the laws against
marijuana usage, due to the impossibility of incarcerating a quarter
of the freshman class.