STUDENT IS SUSPENDED FOR USE OF MEDICAL POT

A 36-year-old Butte College student was suspended this week for smoking
marijuana on campus even though he uses the drug as medicine.

Virgil Hales told the Chico Enterprise-Record that he has had attention and
behavior disorders since a 1987 car accident and has been prescribed
medical marijuana for anger management.

But during a rare disciplinary hearing before the college trustees
Wednesday, school officials said Hales had been in trouble before over
marijuana use.

Hales can return to school in May 2005.