Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 Source: Tiger Weekly (LA Edu) Copyright: 2003 Tiger Weekly Contact: http://www.tigerweekly.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2275 Author: Robyn Bruce Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular) LSUPD STILL NOT ENFORCING DRUG LAWS Last Spring Canada proposed legislation that would make the possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana no more of a crime than getting a parking ticket. Though it may seem as though Canada's policy towards pot-smokers is as lenient as they come, there may be a governing unit that is a little more laid back; LSU. It has been speculated that if an LSU student is caught on campus in possession of marijuana, the student is merely reprimanded with a disciplinary referral to Dean of Students. Is this an urban myth or is it LSU policy? In 2001, Eric Doyle attended a party at East Campus Apartments. The party was a typical LSU late-night gathering, filled with students, a keg and a cloud of marijuana smoke that forced the partygoers to open the windows of the apartment. It didn't take long for about eight LSU police officers to show up. "We were caught with about a half ounce of weed, which I believe is close to a felony charge," said Doyle. According to Doyle, no one was arrested that night. The only consequence of that evening was the student living in the apartment had to visit the Dean of Students. The LSU police department (LSUPD) maintains that they 'will not shield any student, employee or visitor from action by civil authorities.' They insist that the university acts in accordance with all federal and state laws that prohibit the use, possession and sale of illegal drugs. For most simple on-campus drug possession violations, the Louisiana Revised Statute (LRS) 40:966 applies. Its' maximum penalty, upon conviction is imprisonment for up to ten years and a maximum fine of $5000. "If you are riding in a car anywhere in Baton Rouge and a cop catches you with a joint, as long as you're honest with them, nine times out of ten, they're not going to bust you for that" said Frank Abbott, BRCC student who plans on transferring to a four-year university. "The police don't want the extra paperwork. I wouldn't be surprised if LSU police officers treated it (the violation) the same way." According to the LSUPD crime blotter, seven people have been in violation of LRS 40:966 this year. Two of the incidents involved non-LSU students, who were both booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. One involved a LSU student who was charged with a misdemeanor summons and released. "That theory is totally incorrect," said Major Ernie Sanchez of the LSUPD. "An arrest depends on how much marijuana the person has. If it's a small amount, they can be brought in and booked with a misdemeanor charge. If it's a large amount is found, the person can be sent to parish prison." In 2002, LSU reported 15 drug law violations in campus residences and six drug law violations elsewhere on campus. Out of the 21 total drug law arrests, ten were reported as criminal arrests while the remaining 11 were sent to the Dean of Students for disciplinary referrals. A disciplinary referral can result in a warning probation, a disciplinary probation that requires the student to report to the Dean of Students on a regular basis or a university intervention program that orders the student to perform community service and take non-credit courses in values and ethics. Some people feel that paying an LSU fee bill shouldn't come with a get-out-of-jail-free-card. "I think that they (students caught with possession of marijuana) should be fined if there is a significant portion found," said Matt Jones, BRCC student who plans on transferring to LSU. "Students should be treated the same as if they were caught off-campus." Others believe that if this 'unspoken policy' is true, it should remain LSU's best-kept secret. "Us smokers face enough paranoia worrying about the 5-0," said Rudy (who wished to omit his last name), an LSU student. "If LSU really does allow us a little slack, people shouldn't exploit it. I don't think writing an article on this topic is such a good idea." According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), marijuana is the most widely available illicit drug in Louisiana. The price of marijuana in Louisiana is decreasing because of its geographic advantages. The DEA seized 46.7 kgs of marijuana from Louisiana last year. 26 other states had higher amounts of seizures, including Texas, where the DEA seized 136,870.8 kg of marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin