Last night, for once, a group of students standing in a circle, taking turns inhaling smoke from a rolled cigarette, were actually trying to get attention from University Police.
Yesterday, eight students from the university’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws participated in a “smoke out,” where students smoked hand-rolled cigarettes that bore striking resemblance to “joints” typically filled with marijuana. Participants then went to places they referred to as “notorious smoking areas” and acted suspiciously, hoping to get a rise out of University Police.
“This is to draw attention to the waste of resources that go into enforcing drug prohibition,” NORML chapter President Michelle Miller said. “Also to raise awareness for people’s Fourth Amendment rights [against illegal search and seizure].”
Miller, a junior Spanish major, also said the Residence Hall Association regards smoking in the dorms as an ‘A’ level violation of Resident Life regulations – on par with rape and arson.
“Everyone has the right to do whatever they want to do as long as they’re not hurting other people,” freshman communication major Christina Valenzuela said.
The group congregated at two locations during the demonstration, which lasted about 40 minutes. The first was near the Comcast Center, and the second was on the path leading up to the back of University View. The group passed around the cigarettes, coughing and simulating being high, content with knowing they were not breaking any laws.
“I’m kind of fed up with how police target marijuana smokers,” freshman physics major Anthony Coburger said.
University Police spokesman Paul Dillon did not object to the event.
“We’re all for lawful protest and people voicing their opinions,” Dillon said. “[But] until they change [the laws], we’re going to enforce.”
Eventually, the group grew frustrated with the lack of police response.
“Somebody make an anonymous 911 call,” one student said.
“That completely defeats the [purpose],” another responded begrudgingly.
But, in the end, Miller was still optimistic the activity served its purpose despite generating zero police attention.
“I think it was still successful,” she said. “Now it’s kind of like, where were they?”
“Normally, they’d be right out there,” junior animal science major Arin Blevins added.
Dillon said his department doesn’t have officers stationed in areas to catch people smoking marijuana and he doesn’t think the department has a problem with disrespecting students’ Fourth Amendment rights.
“We don’t get many complaints about police conduct. Period,” Dillon said.
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