Marijuana Policy Project

Students receiving financial aid should think twice before lighting up, shooting up or sniffing up any illegal drugs.

A 2000 law requires that any student with a drug conviction be denied financial aid. So before rolling a joint, opening wide or finding that vein, think about it. As well as destroying the body, drugs also can deprive the mind of education.

According to a report released by the FBI, 829,625 people were arrested last year for marijuana violations, totaling more marijuana arrests than in any other year in U.S history, even counting the 1970s.

The number averages out to one marijuana arrest every 38 seconds.

That means that in the time it would take an average reader to get this far through this story, at least one more person probably has been arrested for a marijuana violation.

The startling numbers mean that more young people are at risk of losing their financial aid. Since the law's enactment in 2000, almost 200,000 students have been denied aid.

"Now students have to actually be receiving financial aid when they're convicted of drug charges," said Joy Connors, associate director of the Amarillo College Financial Aid Office.

"Before two years ago, any drug convictions meant you'd be denied."

There are those who believe the consequences of a drug conviction are disproportionate to the crime. Students For Sensible Drug Policy is an organization of such people.

"In the long term, this law will cause more drug abuse, more crime, by blocking people's access to education," said SSDP government relations director Tom Angell. "People who are denied education will be far more likely to depend on the government in the long term, through incarceration and welfare. Basically, it's like shooting ourselves in the foot."

Students are paying attention, too.

"I don't think it's fair that people be denied financial aid for just one drug conviction," said Joshua Braudt, an engineering major.

"I think most people deserve a second chance."

What can students do to get involved?

"Check out our Web site," Angell said. "It's www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com. We have over 100 chapters on high school and college campuses across America and Canada.

"If a student wants to get involved, they can get on the Web site and send a letter to their legislators, or they could even start a chapter."