MARIJUANA LOBBY AIMS OFF TARGET

This past April during SGA elections, a referendum was passed
suggesting the punishments in dorms for marijuana and alcohol be the
same. As it stands currently, marijuana is listed as a "Section A"
offense, meaning any individual caught with marijuana will have his
or her housing terminated immediately, as well as be subject to other
potential punishments. Possession of alcoholic beverages, meanwhile,
is listed under "Section B," which requires a warning and probation
from housing, as well as potential community service for first offenses.

The referendum represented a widespread view on campus that the
marijuana restrictions are overly harsh, and that the drug should be
categorized differently than other potentially more harmful
substances. However, the movement to loosen restrictions on the drug,
while impressive in its numbers and passionate leaders, is a cause
lacking any real hope.

The reason I write this is a very simple one, and one that is all too
often overlooked by passionate students: marijuana is illegal. In the
United States, it is illegal to possess, distribute, or use
marijuana. Period. While some may argue that underage drinking is
illegal as well, the fundamental truth is that alcohol itself is not
classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as illegal to
possess, as marijuana is. That being said, I am just a little
confused as to how campus groups such as Students for a Sensible Drug
Policy feel they are going to get a movement passed to change the
resident life student code of conduct. One can only hope their
proposals are only symbolic, and that these students don't actually
believe this ludicrous movement will be recognized by the administration.

This is not to say I disagree with the points the groups address.
They argue that marijuana is not nearly as harmful as alcohol, and
that students under the influence of marijuana are not an immediate
threat to themselves or their fellow students (though the Dorito rack
at Wawa should probably watch its back). I do tend to agree with this
- -- alcohol-related violent crimes seem to be much more common than
marijuana-related ones. Another good point addressed is that we are
wasting our time and money incarcerating otherwise law-abiding
citizens. These groups say that as a result of these and several
other reasons, marijuana punishments should be decreased.

Nonetheless, these issues are completely irrelevant in talking about
campus punishments. Even if change is in the winds for marijuana laws
and marijuana is indeed less harmful than the government makes it out
to be, the fact is the law states marijuana is illegal and we as a
school must uphold that. I'm getting awfully tired of stories about
poor friends who were stripped of housing because they were caught
with weed, and how unfair it is. I certainly sympathize with the
situation -- having housing pulled out from under your feet must not
be pleasant -- but it's not like the situation is unavoidable and
unjust. I have a solution for those who don't want their housing
revoked: don't bring your weed on campus. Following the rules should
not be a selective thing. You know the rules, so don't complain when
the punishments are carried out when you knowingly violate them.

So for all of you who believe our campus' marijuana policy must
change, please think about where you are directing your argument.
Perhaps the intention is working your way up the ladder to higher and
higher officials until a state or national law is passed, but please
don't ask me to support your endeavors to make the possession of
marijuana a "Section B" offense here on campus. Doing so would put
possessing this currently illegal substance on the same punishment
level as throwing a Nerf football or littering inside the residence
halls, and would create a mockery out of our state and national laws.