With 11 marijuana-related arrests at the University since January, the LSU Police Department continues to arrest students who possess illegal drugs.
“Marijuana is just one of those things where if you are found with it, you will be arrested, regardless of the amount,” said Capt. Cory Lalonde, LSUPD spokesman
Lalonde said arrests for marijuana and other drugs come and go in spurts. He said this year’s number of arrests compares similarly to the number of drug-related arrests around this time in 2011.
Overall, LSUPD investigated 90 cases involving illegal drugs in 2011. Of these cases, 65 were marijuana related, 13 of which were for synthetic marijuana products.
Lalonde said these arrests are primarily made up of students.
“More than half of the time, the arrests are of students,” Lalonde said. “LSUPD has more interaction with students since they populate the campus.”
Lalonde said LSUPD makes a significant number of arrests through traffic stops, when officers arrest people unaffiliated with the Univeristy who may possess illegal substances.
Lalonde said there hasn’t been any additional effort to crack down on marijuana on campus, but LSUPD is adamant in enforcing the law.
Jay High, Resident Life associate director of communications and development, said the use of marijuana or any other illegal or controlled substance in the residence halls and apartments on campus is strictly prohibited.
High said students caught with illegal drugs are typically removed from living on campus, and placed on disciplinary probation for at least two semesters. A letter is also sent home to parents or guardians about the situation.
Petroleum engineering freshman Shelby Johnston believes alcohol is more prevalent on campus than marijuana.
“I don’t really feel like it is a problem at the University,” Johnston said.
Biochemistry freshman Joe Plourde said marijuana will be rampant on any college campus.
“People who smoke are going to smoke,” Plourde said. “It doesn’t really make it an issue.”
 
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Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected].