STUDENT'S MARIJUANA SPEECH ENDS WITH FLOURISH - AND TRIP TO JAIL

Education: 17-Year-Old Lights Joint to Make Point

The teachers wanted persuasive. And they got it.

At the end of his speech Tuesday urging legalization of marijuana, a
17-year-old Peninsula High School student pulled out a joint, lit it
and smoked away. Then he ate the remains.

For that he got a quick escort to the school office and then a ride
to Remann Hall juvenile jail.

The stunt was celebrated among some of the teen's peers but was
frowned on to say the least by law enforcement officers and district
administrators.

"We believe in freedom of speech and encourage it, but illegal
activities are absolutely not going to be tolerated in our district,"
schools Superintendent Terry Bouck said.

Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said, "If people want
that law changed, they need to go about it the right way."

He did admit, though, that the student's action will prompt discussion.

"It sure will probably bring a lot of attention to the issue," Troyer said.

The boy, whom The News Tribune is not identifying because he's not
been charged with a crime, was arrested on suspicion of unlawful drug
possession, a misdemeanor.

He later was released and The News Tribune was unable to reach him.

Deputies will forward their reports to prosecutors, who will decide
whether to file charges.

Bouck declined to say what disciplinary action was taken against the
student but reiterated that illegal activity is not tolerated at a school.

The trouble started when the student - who has a 3.7 grade point
average - presented his essay Tuesday morning during a monthly
gathering called "Rhetoric Revels," which celebrates student work in
English classes.

"It's really a vehicle for showcasing students' work," Bouck said.

The students present their assignments in class first, then turn them
in for grading. A selection of the assignments is chosen for
presentation during the monthly gatherings.

The English department has had this tradition for the past 10 years
with no problem.

That is until Tuesday.

Three 11th grade English classes were gathered for this month's
readings. The students had written their persuasive speeches a couple
of weeks ago and turned them in without endings.

The students selected to present Tuesday were to read the conclusions
to their speeches. They spoke in the schools large assembly hall
before an audience estimated at 120 to 150 people.

The 17-year-old boy made his case for the legalization of marijuana
and then went for a big finish.

"At the end of his speech, he pulled out a marijuana joint, lit it
and began to smoke it," Bouck said.

Officials brought the student to the office, "where appropriate
action was taken," Bouck said, declining to elaborate. Then it was
off to juvie jail.

One student present for the teen's speech said it was eloquent, well
argued and sincerely moved many students.

"The student was making a statement towards (what he felt as) the
arbitrary taboo our society places on marijuana use," the 17-year-old
junior stated in a comment on The News Tribune's Web site. "He took
action in what he believes. . I do not condone the action, but I
commend the passion."