Puff. Puff. Passed.

Connecticut State Lawmakers passed a law that reduces the penalty for possession of a half-ounce or less of marijuana. It went into effect on July 1, 2011.  First time offenders now receive a $150 ticket rather than get arrested and put through the court system.

Despite the reduced penalty, Fairfield University administrators and students say that, in general, they have not changed their stance towards the drug.  Fairfield’s policy towards cannabis-like substances remains the same as it did before the reduced penalty – as do student attitudes.

Associate Director of Public Safety Frank Ficko said that Public Safety’s main concern is to keep students from getting behind the wheel of a car while impaired by marijuana.  He said that the effects of marijuana are similar to other hallucinogens and the goal is to keep students and the rest of the community safe.

“Anything we can do to make campus safer,” said Ficko in reference to Fairfield’s unchanged policy.

Interviews with Fairfield students found that most felt the reduced penalty will neither increase nor decrease the current number of marijuana users.  Statistics show that drug related incidents on campus have been on the rise in recent years, but many students feel that the reduced penalties will not significantly affect these trends.

“The number of users will stay the same,” said Matthew Wantanabe ‘12.  “It’s not like you are drawing in a new audience.  Despite the normal fluctuations in users, it will more or less stay the same.”

“Usage will stay the same because it did in Massachusetts,” said Doug Penta ‘12, referring to the similar marijuana laws in Massachusetts.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure Policy report requires schools to annually disclose information about crime on campus in the past year.  The 2010-2011 report for Fairfield University showed a large jump in drug-related incidents on campus from 2009 to 2010, the most recent years recorded.

The Clery report showed that the number of drug related disciplinary referrals in 2010 was 92, as opposed to 54 in 2009.  The number of drug related arrests in 2010 was 45, as opposed to 28 in 2009.

This significant increase in drug related incidents might continue thanks to the new reduced penalties for marijuana possession.  Despite the majority opinion amongst Fairfield students that the reduced penalties will not change the number of marijuana users, some students believe that it will encourage new users and change the ways that it is used.

“People will be more likely to use marijuana because it’s only a slap on the wrist,” said student Nate Goldin ‘12.

“Kids will take the same risks but will not be as careful when transporting and using the drug,” said student David Reyneke ‘12.

Despite the students’ response, Ficko hopes that marijuana usage by students will go down and he is “always optimistic that students will wise up.”

In January, students received an email from the Dean of Students notifying them of changes to Connecticut law regarding possession of a cannabis-like substance. Despite the changes to the state’s policy, the school’s policy remained the same.

When students are caught on campus with marijuana, the Fairfield Police are notified and students are subject to arrest and prosecution depending on the amount.  The involved students are then referred to the Dean of Student’s office for a Code of Conduct hearing.

Once referred to the Dean of Students, students are subject to much harsher penalties.  The 2011-2012 edition stated that “Simple offenses, which include possession of drug paraphernalia and possession or use of small quantities of drugs, will result in a $300 fine, disciplinary probation, drug education class, referral for evaluation or counseling, and community service.”

“Major offenses, including the possession or use of large quantities of drugs, possession or use of certain categories of drugs other than marijuana and as defined herein (e.g., cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, etc.), and/or the intent or potential to sell or distribute, will result in dismissal or expulsion from the University,” the handbook states.

Todd Pelazza, director of Public Safety, said that he agrees with students that usage will not really change and that the response to the state’s reduced penalties has been about what he expected.  He said the purpose of the law was to avoid clogging up the court system.

According to the Connecticut Post, other local colleges and universities have not softened their policies on marijuana use, according to spokesmen for Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac and Western Connecticut State universities.

Ficko said that this is most likely because, like Fairfield, the health and safety of the students are the schools’ main concerns.

According to The College Voice, Connecticut College’s student-run newspaper, Associate Dean of Student Life Sarah Cardwell said the reason for Connecticut College’s unchanged policy is because “the legislation targets fines and logistics.”  Sanctions at the school are seen as educational rather than monetary and therefore remain unchanged.

The University of Connecticut has taken a different stance, however.  The university has reduced penalties for students caught with marijuana.  Administrators now have the option of issuing a warning or referring the student to an educational program rather than suspending them, the Post reported.

Nationally, the number of drug-related arrests on college campuses increased from 14,631 in 2007 to 16,335 in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Education.  The number of disciplinary actions on college campuses for drug-related incidents increased from 29,314 in 2007 to 36,970 in 2009.

“Marijuana use will stay the same,” said student Colleen Markee ‘12.  “They are going to smoke weed whether it’s a big ticket or a little ticket.”

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