Pubdate: Wed, 18 Mar 2009
Source: Daily Free Press (Boston U, MA Edu)
Copyright: 2009 Back Bay Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.dailyfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/796
Author: Bailey Roese

BU POT POLICY MISCONCEPTIONS

Contrary to Richard Su's opinion, I do not believe Boston University 
has ignored changes in Massachusetts marijuana laws ("LETTER: BU 
ignores change in pot law," March 4). In actuality, many of the 
statements in Su's letter are incorrect. While the article states 
that the Office of Residence Life has noticed an increase in 
marijuana use, it also specifies that this increase has taken place 
on campus ("BUPD, ORL disagree on change in BU pot presence," March 
3).  Su may be correct in his assumption that there has not been an 
overall increase in pot use, but the ORL has statistics that prove 
the increase of incidents in residence halls. Indeed, the reason for 
this increase may be because of people like Su who do not seem to 
understand the implications of Question 2. Decriminalization is not 
the same as legalization. Su writes that people no longer have to 
"sneak around" when using marijuana, but the fact remains that while 
they will not be arrested for possessing less than an ounce of 
marijuana, they will still have to pay a fine -- that is, pot is 
still illegal. Furthermore, there is definitely still a penalty for 
having pot in a residence hall (in many cases, a removal from 
university housing). Smokers should keep in mind that while the state 
of Massachusetts has lessened its penalties, BU has not.  And 
frankly, any illegal substance should remain banned from a residence 
hall. Regardless of their opinions, students must respect both 
Massachusetts laws and BU's, or at least remember they'll still be 
doing their fair share of "sneaking around."

Bailey Roese

CAS '10
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