Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2012
Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Copyright: 2012 The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: Jeremy Hay

MORE MEDICAL POT CARDS MEAN FEWER DRUG ARRESTS AT SSU, CAMPUS POLICE SAY

More students carrying medical marijuana cards has led to a dramatic
decline in drug-related arrests at Sonoma State University, newly
released statistics show.

The number of such arrests dropped from 35 in 2009 to 27 in 2010 and
zero last year, the last period for which statistics are available.

"Before, we could make an arrest if someone had marijuana. Now they
all have medical marijuana cards. So by law we can't arrest them,"
campus interim Police Chief Sally Miller said on Friday.

Instead, students found with marijuana were referred for disciplinary
measures, which involve drug education classes and can include
community service and expulsion from SSU residences.

For minor offenses, that is often a more effective approach, Miller
said.

Numbers were low in all other crime categories, where the most serious
crime reported was a rape in a student residence on campus. The case
remains open but is not being actively investigated, Miller said,
because the victim declined to pursue it.
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