Pubdate: Fri, 29 Sep 2000
Date: 09/29/2000
Source: Rice Thresher (TX)
Author: Jennifer Hitt

Two similar incidents were spotlighted in the Thresher. First, an
overly intoxicated football player caused a disturbance. He was loud
and violent. It took 4 officers to get him under control and take him
to the police station. Meanwhile, four students were out of sight and
quietly smoking a joint on a balcony.

When they were discovered they complied with the officers'
requests.

Unfortunately, the fate of these students was not the same. The
football player was released to the masters and Coach Hatfield handled
any necessary disciplinary action.

All of the students involved in the marijuana incident, regardless of
whether they were smoking or were in possession of marijuana, received
a punishment. The obvious reason for the difference in disciplinary
action is that marijuana is an illicit substance and alcohol is not.

The campus police are getting kudos from many students for handling
the marijuana incident the way they did. I mean, hey, they could've
arrested and prosecuted them, right?

But it's a shame that they had to do anything at all. It's a shame
that a roommate who was sleeping at the rime is now on probation
because he admitted to smoking with his roommates in the past. The
reason that it's a shame is because it was a victimless crime.

No overly high student became loud. No one was threatened. A smell was
all that was wrong. A smell that by law compelled the campus police to
act.

The actual dangers of marijuana use have been exaggerated. [1] No one
over-doses on marijuana.  Psychological addiction is rare and physical
addiction is almost unheard of. [2] Why, then, are marijuana laws so
harsh? Because many laws have been written out of fear and in
ignorance of the actual effects of the drug. The fear that marijuana
is a "gateway" drug is unfounded. [3] If drugs such as alcohol,
tobacco and caffeine are legal to consume, marijuana should be as well.

Students are not going to stop smoking marijuana.

Every single day someone lights up on Rice's campus.

It's not an issue of rebellion; students smoke marijuana because it's
enjoyable.

As a supportive community we need to face these facts and decide how
to best deal with this drug. If you know someone who smokes marijuana,
ask them why they do it and what it's like? Sift through the myths
(i.e. marijuana lowers sperm count [4]) and find out what the actual
health risks are from smoking.

Decide for yourself is the drug is creating the problem or is the laws
are creating the problem.

But most importantly, if you encounter a Rice student smoking and it
bothers you: ask them to stop or tell them to leave.

Treat them like you would any one who's had a few beers.

Call a RA or college justice, but don't make the situation bigger than
it needs to be. The punishment should fit the crime.

Support the equalization of drug laws.

Jennifer Hitt, Hanszen senior