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Pot Is A Part of Student Life
06-04-07|Miami Herald|By John W. Cox

Almost every week of their college lives, Chris and Gabriel have done something illegal.

Chris and Gabriel, along with millions of other college students, smoke marijuana and think nothing is wrong with it.

Almost 35 percent of U.S. college students -- nearly six million -- said they had smoked pot in their lifetime, according to the spring 2006 National College Health Assessment by the American College Health Association.

In fact, one in five students -- more than two million -- said they smoke every month, and in Florida, monthly smokers are 5 percent higher than the national average, according to national surveys and the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey.

''It's gotten higher apparently over the years,'' said Chris Franzetti, assistant director of health promotion at Florida State University's Thagard Student Health Center. ``We don't think we know why, to be honest with you. This whole marijuana issue is something we've just started focusing in on.''

Chris, a B student at FSU, is an articulate, soft-spoken accounting major. Gabriel is a marketing major at Florida International University who also makes Bs.

''It brings people together for sure,'' said Chris, who along with Gabriel spoke on the condition that his last name not be used. ``I wouldn't chill with half the kids I do in Tallahassee if they didn't smoke.''

DOING IT AT HOME

Unlike drinking alcohol, Chris, Gabriel and other students said they rarely smoke at parties. Instead, they do it at home or with a small group of people they trust.

To most students who smoke, marijuana doesn't have the same social significance it did during the 1960s. They say it's just how they relax, relieve stress or socialize with friends.

''Other friends prefer to go out and drink a coffee or juice,'' Gabriel said, ``and I'd rather stay at home and smoke a doobie.''

Franzetti said FSU and other universities throughout the state are working on new ways to deal with students who have problems with marijuana. Drug education isn't sufficient, she said, and there isn't enough money invested in prevention.

For now, the University of Miami focuses on caring for and educating students on the risks of drug use, said Nanette Vega, assistant director of the Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education and assistant dean of students.

Anyone at UM concerned with someone's drug use can ask for help anonymously through the PIER 21 referral system. Referred students are contacted by the university and asked to meet with Vega, and she determines whether the student needs help, and if so, how much.

''At the end of the day, we want to help the student if there's a substance-abuse problem,'' she said.

RISK OF PENALTIES

Students caught with marijuana at UM can face a loss of housing privileges, a fine of up to $150, probation, suspension or even expulsion. Penalties are similar at other schools, although officials at Florida universities said expulsion is rare for just possessing the drug.

Chris said about a third of his friends who smoke have been caught by police at some point and were typically charged with a misdemeanor and did no jail time. But for Chris and other students, the penalties aren't enough to make them quit.

He has spent about $50 a week on his habit, a total of more than $8,000 since he started in high school.

''You don't hear kids sitting around talking about it,'' Chris said. ``Pretty much everybody does it, but nobody talks about it.''

 

reggie_the_dog

"Almost every week of their college lives, Chris and Gabriel have done something illegal."

Hell, I have done something illegal every day of my life for the last 12 years.

How many other "career criminals" are out there (ps my only crime is touching cannabis).

Buzzby

I can sum it up for you in one word: SAFER, "Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation". Alcohol, the socially accepted recreational drug, is a toxic, addictive organic solvent that promotes violence and acts of poor judgment. Marijuana, the outlawed recreational drug, is non-toxic, non-addictive, and promotes quiet camaraderie, silliness, and the munchies.

What they really mean is that they are working on new ways to bust or rehab people who have no problems with marijuana at all. Do they really think that people don't know they're lying through their teeth?

Translation: "Here's where you can rat out anyone you don't like."

Translation: "We want to prevent anyone from using any recreational substance that doesn't have a huge lobby in Washington, and punish those who do."

What happened to helping people who have "drug problems"?

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Jibber420

As a senior college student myself and living in Boston; which I believe is the number one college town in the U.S. (not 100% sure on this, just what i've heard). I can say that a lot of college students have tried marijuana at least once. I can honestly say that I can't think of one college student that I know that has actually told me that they haven't tried it. However there are some that I just don't know if they have or not. Either way, marijuana is always readily available on college campuses and adults do smoke it. I also know a lot of people that just smoke occasionally, like on the weekends or a few times a month, then there are a few people I know that smoke everyday and are frequent users. I happen to fall into the frequent users category but i'm responsible about my use. I never go to work high. I never go to class high. I always get my homework and studying done before I get high. It's only when I'm relaxing and watching tv or a movie or just chilling with my friends. I also usually smoke before bed just becuase it helps to get to sleep.

This is starting to get long and i'm ranting now, so i'll finish up. My point is, marijuana is very prevelant among college students and it's become normal for most of us. You can't go to a party without the smell wafting through the air. It's a great stress reliever, and as a college student we tend to get very stressed at times. This shouldn't scare the government or concerned citizens though. Most people use marijuana responsibly, and we shouldn't be punished for it. I personally think that since the schools and the governments won't educate the public, it's going to have to be up to us. I live my life as if weed were legal. I talk about it around people as if it were legal and no big deal. I smoke it around people as if it was no big deal. Because guess what? It isn't a big deal. And when people see this, and realize that it isn't a big deal and educate people on it. Popularity will eventually win out.

DankDealer

I live in boston and im pretty sure 80% of the people i ride the train with all smoke pot...damn stoners! As for it being popular in florida...it is! everyone and i mean EVERYONE ive ever hung around with while at school down there smokes pot. I took a class last year where the 15 of us in the class ALL smoked. It was great because i knew at the end of class i was going to smoke with someone lol

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"What is this.......a dooby run?" - Babs Murray

Always keep your words soft and sweet incase u have to eat them

 

godfather

I will take that to mean "don't approve of marijuana use", otherwise, that would be a pretty crppy thing to say to someone "Man, I'm sorry, but...well...you quit doin' weed, and I only hang out with smokers...soooooooo...BYE!!"

dontthinkfly

I 100% agree with Jibber. I smoke daily at school. IMO, it's a lot better than drinking .. there are a list of reasons. I think school officials should get over the fact that people will smoke weed, and that people that smoke daily do not have a drug problem. I feel like its kind of a whole little 'society' -- a secret that people who dont smoke dont see. I know when I finish up a big test, i wait for my buddy in class to go smoke a bowl. We don't get drunk and useless for the rest of the night.

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"If the government can't keep drugs away from inmates who are locked in steel cages, surrounded by barbed wire, watched by armed guards, drug-tested, strip-searched, X-rayed, and videotaped – how can it possibly stop the flow of drugs to an entire nation?" - Ron Crickenberger

Sec

Are there 5% more smokers in Florida than the national average?
or
Are the smokers in Florida 5% higher (more stoned) than the national average?

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