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US: UC Santa Cruz Aims To Snuff Out 4/20 Smokeout
KTVU.com Tuesday 20 Apr 2010 Last year, despite scorching temperatures, thousands of people funneled into Porter Meadow to blaze up at a pot party on April 20, the date that corresponds to 420, code speak for marijuana. School officials anticipated a similar crowd this year, even though the forecast called for rain, and are restricting parking access and shuttles on the campus. The pot-smoking party has grown in size in recent years, with thousands revelers puffing away at the 2007 event. Bus and shuttle service was restricted on campus beginning at 3 p.m., and beefed-up patrols will be strictly enforcing parking rules to prevent outsiders from reaching the popular gathering spot north of the Arboretum. A week ago, university administration issued a message to students that outlined the university's stance on the "unwelcome" 420 gathering, stating the "illegal activity diminishes UCSC's reputation and draws negative attention to our campus." The university does not condone the event, and instead urges students to participate in activities that showcase their "accomplishments as scholars and engaged world citizens." While Santa Cruz has long been viewed as the center of marijuana culture in the region, cannabis use is increasingly embraced elsewhere, including in Oakland, where a cannabis trade school, Oaksterdam University, opened in 2007. An Oakland Unified School District staff member said students are in "a difficult environment" now because marijuana use is so common. Robert Dousa, a drug intervention specialist for the district, said he expected to see an increase in truancy Tuesday related to marijuana smoking. "You'll see more students not coming back from school after lunch because they're high, or not coming into school at all." Dousa said it is likely that some students will try marijuana for the first time Tuesday or smoke more than they normally would. "It's sort of the day to let loose for that reason," he said. The penalty for marijuana use in Oakland high schools is a five-day suspension, which Dousa said only gives students the opportunity to get high at home. He said some teachers simply look the other way when it comes to marijuana use on April 20 because they believe it is better to have the student in school and using drugs than not in school at all. Dousa said he is advocating a "restorative justice approach" that would place offending students on an in-school suspension that would require the student to complete research on marijuana and make a presentation. "This engages them, keeps them academically involved and provides positive encouragement," he said. Often, students don't realize what they're doing, he said, "and that sort of project could open up their eyes." While the state is considering the legalization of recreational marijuana use, Dousa said he doesn't believe it solve the problem of youths smoking pot. But Dousa also said he thinks the significance of Tuesday's date isn't "as big a deal as it used to be." Maybe not to students, but across town at Oaksterdam University, more than 400 people were expected to attend a cannabis-centered event this afternoon, where those with a medical marijuana identification card will be allowed to smoke. Many high school districts are still unaware of the significance of 420, a nationally recognized term for marijuana, its popularity fanned by pop culture and national publications like Rolling Stone. A Berkeley Unified School District spokesman said no special plans were in place to stop students from cutting class to smoke pot. "I'm sure the students are aware of it, but they're not going to drop everything else that they're doing," he said. West Contra Costa Unified School District spokesman Marin Trujillo said he was not aware of any unusual activity in that district. http://www.ktvu.com/news/23213804/detail.html
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