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Fox 35 (Orlando): Smoke'em if ya got'em? |
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Written by Fox 35
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Monday, 01 December 2008 |
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In an effort to curb dangerous student drinking, the University of
Central Florida is considering easing its penalties for student
marijuana use.
The Golden Rule Review Committee will be voting on a proposal to
establish equal campus punishments for student alcohol and marijuana
use, so that the use of alcohol is no longer a more acceptable form of
intoxication under campus policy. If the committee approves the new
policy, it will be sent to the UCF administration for final approval
and implementation.
WHAT: Hearing and vote on UCF alcohol-marijuana policy
WHEN: Tuesday, December 2, 2008, 11 a.m. EST
WHERE: University of Central Florida Student Union, Room 224
WHO: Golden Rule Review Committee
The proposed policy is based on the recommendations of a task force of student leaders and administrators, which formed after a majority of the student body approved a campus referendum on equalizing marijuana and alcohol punishments.
Approximately 57 percent of student voters approved the measure, which was sponsored by the UCF chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). The referendum received endorsements from the campus newspaper and both student body government presidential tickets, and it has since received endorsements from a variety of other student groups.
"The proposed policy is grounded in science and reflects the relative safety of marijuana use compared to alcohol use," said Student Senator Brendon Rivard, the spokesman for the UCF chapter of NORML. "By equalizing penalties for student alcohol and marijuana use, UCF will no longer send the dangerous message to students that drinking is more acceptable here."
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Task Force on College Drinking, alcohol use contributes to approximately 1,400 student deaths, 50,000 student injuries, and 70,000 reports of sexual assault and date rape among college students each year.
The alcohol-marijuana equalization proposal at UCF is the latest in a string of measures that have been promoted at colleges and universities around the country.
Regardless of how the Golden Rule Review Committee votes, marijuana use is still illegal in Florida.
Possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Possession of greater than 20 grams of marijuana is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Conviction of a drug related offense also requires suspension of the offender's driver's license for at least six months.
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