# If you want to argue for legalizing pot, this isn't the way to go about it...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [June 4, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654 "2009-06-04T01:40:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/1 "2009-06-04T01:40:25Z")
[UPDATED: Peninsula student arrested after allegedly smoking joint during presentation](http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime/2009/06/02/peninsula_student_arrested_after_alleged)
So, said student is chosen to read his essay, which is arguing for the legalization of marjuana, in front of the entire school. During the reading of said essay, student lights up a joint, smokes it, and then EATS it. :rolleyes:
Now, I’m all for legalizing weed. On the other hand, if you’re going to argue for it, I don’t think this is a very persuasive demonstration. (And I know, civil disobediance and all that, but something tells me that wasn’t what this kid had in mind…)
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### Author:  [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/2 "2009-06-04T02:14:26Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> So, said student is chosen to read his essay, which is arguing for the legalization of marjuana, in front of the entire school. During the reading of said essay, student lights up a joint, smokes it, and then EATS it. :rolleyes:
Sounds like eating it was a smart move. The article said he consumed it by the time the officer arrived - which means he was no longer in possession of marijuana. If they didn’t find anything else on him, he should be acquitted.
It’s not a crime to smoke marijuana, only to possess it. Without seizing any they don’t have much of a case - would love to hear a legal opinion on this.
ETA: of course I’m speculating on the legal aspect - as far as the school’s disciplinary actions against him go, they can do whatever they want.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/3 "2009-06-04T02:28:31Z")
Well, of course, eat the evidence. (Why not make brownies, then?) Still, considering he did in front of the entire class…
(I’m guessing he came up with the idea while high)
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### Author:  [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/4 "2009-06-04T02:56:11Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> Still, considering he did in front of the entire class…
Nothing seized, no crime. As for why not brownies, I guess that wouldn’t make as compelling a piece of performance art. 😛
I’m sure he’ll be suspended for a long time if not permanently expelled, but he certainly had some balls.
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### Author:  [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/5 "2009-06-04T03:30:04Z")
> [@](#):
>
> but he certainly had some balls.
Are you sure it’s balls he has/had? Not something like say, a drug-addled haze that made him think this was a good idea?
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### Author:  [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/6 "2009-06-04T03:40:01Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#):
>
> Are you sure it’s balls he has/had? Not something like say, a drug-addled haze that made him think this was a good idea?
I’m sure he knew what the consequences would be, although being that age he might not have thoroughly considered the long-term implications. Still, such an act of defiance for the sake of an ideal is noteworthy. Can’t say what he was really thinking without knowing the kid, though.
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### Author:  [@Neverender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neverender)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/7 "2009-06-04T11:15:33Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#):
>
> Are you sure it’s balls he has/had? Not something like say, **a drug-addled haze** that made him think this was a good idea?
He smoked a joint, he wasn’t shooting up! One joint won’t have affected his decisions that much. I’m sure the decision to eat it was pre-planned, to get rid of the evidence.
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### Author:  [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/8 "2009-06-04T15:11:46Z")
It also allows him to argue that it wasn’t mj at all. Maybe one of substitutes or even plain old tobacco.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/9 "2009-06-04T17:09:26Z")
> [@Projammer](#):
>
> It also allows him to argue that it wasn’t mj at all. Maybe one of substitutes or even plain old tobacco.
Wouldn’t they have been able to smell it? (At least those up close)
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### Author:  [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/10 "2009-06-04T17:15:27Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#):
>
> It’s not a crime to smoke marijuana, only to possess it.
Now if only I could find someone to hold my joints to my lips for me full-time.
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/11 "2009-06-04T18:03:28Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#):
>
> Sounds like eating it was a smart move. The article said he consumed it by the time the officer arrived - which means he was no longer in possession
“The old trick, eh? Eat the telly before I get a chance to nick you!”
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### Author:  [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/12 "2009-06-04T18:25:00Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> [UPDATED: Peninsula student arrested after allegedly smoking joint during presentation](http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime/2009/06/02/peninsula_student_arrested_after_alleged)
>
> So, said student is chosen to read his essay, which is arguing for the legalization of marjuana, in front of the entire school. During the reading of said essay, student lights up a joint, smokes it, and then EATS it. :rolleyes:
> Now, I’m all for legalizing weed. On the other hand, if you’re going to argue for it, I don’t think this is a very persuasive demonstration. (And I know, civil disobediance and all that, but something tells me that wasn’t what this kid had in mind…)
I disagree. What is finally going to be the topping point for legalizing pot is the ammount of money our governement puts into it. Citing this kid or arresting him and putting through the court system will help the cause. Thats just one more statistic that is going to be quoted. This isn’t as bad as the dorm room college kid who was shot by security for having a joint.
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### Author:  [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/13 "2009-06-04T18:37:58Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> Wouldn’t they have been able to smell it? (At least those up close)
The defense would argue against their credibility to identify it as mj smoke. Do they know what the substitutes smell like? Do they know what burning [oregano](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=oregano) smells like?
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/14 "2009-06-04T18:41:01Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#):
>
> Now if only I could find someone to hold my joints to my lips for me full-time.
Really. How the fuck can you smoke pot without possessing it?
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/15 "2009-06-04T18:46:34Z")
> [@Projammer](#):
>
> The defense would argue against their credibility to identify it as mj smoke. Do they know what the substitutes smell like? Do they know what burning [oregano](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=oregano) smells like?
I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.
I’m hoping **Rigamarole** meant to say _selling_ (Even if, of course, that’s not true)
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/16 "2009-06-04T18:50:12Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#):
>
> Nothing seized, no crime.
Not exactly.
> [@](#):
>
> A small amount of marijuana was found in the student’s possession. The boy was arrested and taken to Remann Hall juvenile jail. His parents were contacted, Troyer said.
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### Author:  [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/17 "2009-06-04T18:55:34Z")
Even if he had eaten it, and possessed none, wouldn’t the cops have probable cause to get a warrant to make him pee?
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### Author:  [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/18 "2009-06-04T18:57:21Z")
He’s 17. Smoking a tobacco hand-rolled cig is illegal, and against (most?) school’s zero-tolerance policies, too. ETA: Heck, in some schools, possessing a lighter or matches is enough for action to be taken.
I’m kind of torn. I have no way of knowing if this was civil disobedience or a rebel without a cause. If the first, I’d congratulate him on getting this into the newspapers, commiserate with him on how stupid drug laws are, and sympathize with him about the jail time and/or expulsion he chose to take on his record to stand up for what he believes in. If the later, I’d smack him upside the head for being an idiot.
Really, in this case, intention does make all the difference.
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### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/19 "2009-06-04T18:59:25Z")
> [@bup](#):
>
> Even if he had eaten it, and possessed none, wouldn’t the cops have probable cause to get a warrant to make him pee?
To what purpose?
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-want-to-argue-for-legalizing-pot-this-isnt-the-way-to-go-about-it/498654/20 "2009-06-04T19:08:55Z")
Question – how would that _taste_?
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