CSLS: A little ganja will get you

The flood of freshman busted for possession of marijuana in dorms, or on the bike path and golf course, slowed to a trickle last week as even the most hopeless of stoners became aware that Athens isn’t Amsterdam. The police are everywhere these days and nights, and the sweet smell of “stinky weed” in the dorm serves as a fragrant invitation to be busted even if you haven’t lit up.

Even if an attorney is able to get the prosecutor to amend the pot charge to a disorderly conduct, to avoid a driver’s license suspension, or impairment of federal financial aid or scholarships, you may find that you will not be eligible for the court’s diversion program in the future if you have new underage alcohol charges. And, of course, a possession of marijuana charge will result in charges being filed against you in the Ohio University Office of Community Standards (formerly “Judiciaries”), where you will most likely be assessed fines, community service hours, and put on probation for a minimum of six months. So watch what you’re holding and where you’re hanging,  save yourself the $254 in fines and court costs, as well as the Community Standards sanctions, that a little ganja will get you.

This column was brought to you by Managing Attorney Patrick McGee, Staff Attorney Melissa Greenlee, and Program Coordinator Tracy Kelly at The Center for Student Legal Services.

The Center for Student Legal Services (CSLS) is a non-profit law office created to educate, represent and protect Ohio University students in matters related to identity theft, landlord / tenant issues, alcohol consumption, contract reviews, traffic violations, misdemeanors, credit law and more. For more information, call us at 740-594-8093 or visit our office at 50 S. Court St., Suite D (above College Bookstore).