Pubdate: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
Source: Athens News, The (OH)
Copyright: 2001, Athens News
Contact:  http://www.athensnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1603
Author: Rachael Truesdell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

OU SHOULD THROW OUT OR POSTPONE PROPOSED TOUGHENING OF POT PENALTIES

The suggested revision of the A-15 and B-6 sections of the Student Code of 
Conduct proposed by the Ohio University Review and Standards committee 
under chairperson Richard Carpinelli is unfair and should be thrown out. At 
the very least, it needs to be postponed until winter quarter when the 
students it will affect are in town and are, if nothing else, aware of the 
decision and how it will affect them personally, academically and 
financially. Carpinelli is working to get this new amendment passed by Jan. 
1 during winter break when virtually none of the students this will affect 
are in the way.

As reported, in Kim Kiracofe's article in the Nov. 1 Athens NEWS, the 
amendment would change the offense of possession of marijuana of less than 
a hundred grams of marijuana to a class A offense as opposed to its 
existing rank as a class B offense. Class A offenses are much more severe, 
with the maximum penalty being expulsion from the university. Currently, 
possession of pot is considered in the Code of Conduct and section A-15 
side by side with other narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamines, 
opiates, barbiturates, hallucinogens and heroin. However, under section B-6 
is the exception that small amounts of marijuana merit the less severe 
punishments.

This proposal could also mean that if convicted, an otherwise non-violent 
offender can be denied federally funded financial aid in the forms of 
grants, loans, scholarships and work assistance. As a member of the SSDP 
(Students for a Sensible Drug Policy) and roommate to the organization's 
president, I feel this is an issue that needs immediate attention by the 
scholarly students of Ohio University -- the very group this amendment 
targets. We need to stand up and do something about this before it is too late.

Rachael Truesdell,  Athens
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MAP posted-by: Jackl