A fresh marijuana plant "cola" is cut from the main stalk and prepared for drying on a farm in Northern California. | Photo by Freddy Brewster

Marijuana a no-go on CSU campuses

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40 adults charged with weed possession since legalization

From Nov. 30, 2016 to Nov. 29, 2018 University Police issued 81 citations for marijuana possession, according to a public records request. Five of those citations were issued to minors, 36 were issued to adults between the ages of 18 and 20, and 40 infractions were issued to people over 21 in a state where marijuana is legal.

“The rule in California is, you can possess up to one ounce of marijuana, but the campus can have their own policy and that can be different,” explained Adrian Kamada, Deputy District Attorney for Humboldt county. “Basically, with legalization it is decriminalized and not completely legal.”

California State Universities have the authority to enforce their own policies using the University Code of Rules and Regulations. According to the UCRR, HSU was granted the authority to “enact rules and regulations governing the conduct of all persons upon the campus in Arcata and upon the satellite areas under the jurisdiction of the [university] president.” Since the university is technically state property, it does not have to abide by local ordinances that govern the surrounding areas.

Angelica Preciado-Nessen, records and dispatch supervisor with UPD, said the university uses three to four laws to issue citations for marijuana possession on campus. Charge 11357 (A) (2) is used to charge for possession of marijuana or concentrates for adults ages 18-20, Charge 11357 (A) (1) is used to charge for possession by a minor and UCRR 5200 which states “any drug, narcotic or controlled substance… is prohibited on the university campus.”

“They’re all infractions, they go away after so many years,” Preciado-Nessen said. “If we do not choose to enforce them, the federal government can pull our funding. We would not be able to fund ourselves with just state funding.”

On Nov. 9, 2016 former Governor Jerry Brown signed Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, allowing the recreational use of marijuana. This let individuals in California over 21 possess up to one ounce of marijuana and no more than 8 grams of cannabis concentrates.

“Under 18 is generally a diversion and drug education program, 18 to 20 is a ticket,” Deputy DA Kamada said. “Over one ounce and over 21 is a misdemeanor up to a $500 fine and up to 6 months in jail. Same with over 8 grams of concentrates.”

The public records request also revealed 34 complaints between August 2016 and December 2018 for marijuana smells, with most complaints coming from the Canyon and Jolly Giant common areas. There were 257 incidents where UPD responded to calls for suspected drug activity with 78 of them resulting in some sort of citation. Of the 257 incidents, 130 of them were called to the Canyon and Jolly Giant areas. During that same time period, only one person was charged for selling marijuana and four people were charged with 11377 (a), possession of a controlled substance. Deputy DA Kamada said that individuals charged with 11377 (a) were most likely caught with meth, MDMA or mushrooms. Three people were charged with 11350 (a), most likely for possession of heroin or cocaine according to Deputy DA Kamada.

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9 Comments

  1. Henchman Of Justice Henchman Of Justice Wednesday, January 23, 2019

    So what are some examples of uncontrolled substances?

    Caffeine? As in a substance that is not controlled by Federal Regulation?

    What about Pharmaceuticals? Opioids? Those who take them are already batshit crazy and those who don’t take them continue on their batshit craziness…

    … it’s a school campus for crying out loud can’t you do your drugs off campus?

  2. Henchman Of Justice Henchman Of Justice Wednesday, January 23, 2019

    Recreational uses stupid to like how many people grow their own weed for recreational use and limit the growth to no more than 1 oz… this is how pathetic America has become… and who in the fucken universe is going to pay a doctor for a goddamn 215… you know the skirt the 1oz maximum rule for recreational use… these motherfuckers in government intentionally sabotage our country with these laws that do nothing but trip all over rational reality… America is a hoax of a country a big fat fucking lie…

    • T.William Wallin T.William Wallin Friday, January 25, 2019

      hello henchman of justice….would like to talk about issues of this county with you when you have some free time

  3. well . . . well . . . Thursday, January 24, 2019

    As usual the authorities are motivated by fear and greed.

      • Sequoia Boy Sequoia Boy Wednesday, July 15, 2020

        Emma, don’t say that, your comment was great!

  4. Blotter bytes – The Lumberjack Blotter bytes – The Lumberjack Saturday, February 9, 2019

    […] mentioned in a previous article, it is still illegal to possess weed on campus. Since the new year, four people have been charged […]

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