Washington Students Want Equal Laws for Alcohol and Pot

Thursday's Frat Boy News Pause for the Cause

University of Washington (compiled by the The Stranger)

With 65 percent approving, University of Washington students passed a referendum May 10 advising the school to equalize penalties for alcohol and pot. That's the first step in changing campus policy.

Currently, according to UW's official alcohol and drug-abuse statement, students are prohibited from using either substance on campus: "Violation of the University's alcohol and drug prohibitions is cause for disciplinary or other appropriate action."

However, according to Tim Kelly, the sophomore behind the pot vote (he's the president of UW's chapter of NORML/SSDP, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and Students for Sensible Drug Policy), there's a disparity when it comes to enforcement. Residential advisers, who are like dorm moms, have repeatedly told Kelly they are allowed to simply pour a student's hooch down the drain. End of story (even for minors). But if marijuana is suspected, residential advisers are required to call the UW police—and then students face arrest, suspension, expulsion, or eviction from student housing.

Chris Jaehne, assistant director of residential life, confirms most of Kelly's depiction, but maintains that alcohol infractions are written up and minors could face punishment.

"The penalties for each substance should reflect the harms of the substance to the individuals," Kelly says. "The system the school has for alcohol works fine, so they should use that system for marijuana."