UNUSUAL NUMBER OF MARIJUANA ARRESTS OCCUR

Since the start of the spring 2012 semester, three students have been
arrested on LMU's campus by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
for the possession of marijuana with the intent to sell. In
comparison, no students were arrested during fall 2011, according to
the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Captain of Investigations and
Record Management Cristina Martin. Martin also told the Loyolan that
during the entirety of the 2010-2011 school year, six students were
arrested for charges related to marijuana.

Chief of DPS Hampton Cantrell said that this was an unusual number of
arrests for a semester at LMU.

"We're speculating it is because of ... a relaxed feeling about the
law with our students regarding marijuana," said Cantrell. "I know
Public Safety, as well as Residence Life, continues to emphasize that
marijuana is prohibited on our campus, despite issues of medical
marijuana, etc. And it is very important for us to emphasize that."

The Jan. 12 issue of the Loyolan reported that two students in the
Tendrich Apartments were arrested for the possession of marijuana with
the intent to sell on Jan. 10. According to Cantrell, another student
was arrested in Del Rey North on Jan. 16 for the same charge. In
addition to legal action from LAPD, the students' cases were also
referred to Judicial Affairs.

DPS handles marijuana cases itself when it appears that the amount of
the drug present - and the marijuana-related paraphernalia present, if
any - is only for personal use. However, when DPS suspects that there
is an intent to sell, LAPD is contacted.

"Otherwise, our general rule is if it is less than an ounce, a
misdemeanor or infraction level, that we do take a report and refer to
Judicial Affairs. The marijuana is confiscated, and it is eventually
turned over to LAPD; usually every quarter we turn all of our
contraband items over to LAPD," Cantrell said.

Despite the spike in arrests, Cantrell does not foresee a change in
policy at the moment.

"It does prompt discussions around what we can do better in getting
the message across that this is serious, and that students should take
it seriously because of the possibility of it impacting career,"
Cantrell said.

Captain Brian P. Johnson, LAPD Pacific Division's patrol commanding
officer, also cautioned students to remember the implications such
legal action can have on their futures.

"I think these individuals have to consider what it's doing, not only
to them or their families or the reputation of the school, but how is
it going to impact their ability to get a job or do any type of
volunteer work if they have a criminal record?" Johnson said. "So
that's something they will have to consider into their adult life," he
said.