[snip]

'YES' ON REF. 2

The Daily Texan supports the referendum calling for lower penalties for
marijuana-related offenses.

The most harmful effects of smoking marijuana are the grossly
disproportionate penalties associated with it. Students have faced eviction
from their dorms and expulsion from the University for possession or
distribution of marijuana, but no harsher penalty than an alcohol awareness
class awaits young freshmen caught smuggling Coors in their pockets.

At the same time, some students, most recently Jack Phoummarath, die of
alcohol poisoning each year. The University has an obligation to its
students to provide equal opportunity and equal access to its resources;
arbitrarily privileging one class of drug users over another runs contrary
to this concept of equality. Falling back on drug laws is no excuse either
- - the University is a not a police force: Its job is to educate students,
not regulate their conduct in accordance with the law, especially if that
law is unjust as it is here.

If a student breaks the law, let the courts decide his or her punishment.
For the University to step in and take additional punitive measures is akin
to double jeopardy. If the University believes that an alcohol awareness
class is sufficient to set a drinker straight, marijuana smokers should
have to meet the same standard. If the school thinks that isn't enough
deterrence to alcohol, it ought to rescind the title of "University" in
favor of "preschool" or "nursery."

College students are adults who don't need to be administratively spanked.