Studentâ??s marijuana speech ends with a trip to jail

[Galaxy]

Studentâ??s marijuana speech ends with flourish â?? and trip to jail
Education: 17-year-old lights joint to make point

STACEY MULICK; The News Tribune
Published: 06/03/09 6:08 am

The teachers wanted persuasive.

And they got it.

At the end of his speech Tuesday urging legalization of marijuana, a 17-year-old Peninsula High School student pulled out a joint, lit it and smoked away. Then he ate the remains.

For that he got a quick escort to the school office and then a ride to Remann Hall juvenile jail.

The stunt was celebrated among some of the teenâ??s peers but was frowned on to say the least by law enforcement officers and district administrators.

â??We believe in freedom of speech and encourage it, but illegal activities are absolutely not going to be tolerated in our district,â?� schools Superintendent Terry Bouck said.

Pierce County sheriffâ??s spokesman Ed Troyer said, â??If people want that law changed, they need to go about it the right way.â?�

He did admit, though, that the studentâ??s action will prompt discussion.

â??It sure will probably bring a lot of attention to the issue,â?� Troyer said.

The boy, whom The News Tribune is not identifying because heâ??s not been charged with a crime, was arrested on suspicion of unlawful drug possession, a misdemeanor.

He later was released and The News Tribune was unable to reach him.

Deputies will forward their reports to prosecutors, who will decide whether to file charges.

Bouck declined to say what disciplinary action was taken against the student but reiterated that illegal activity is not tolerated at a school.

The trouble started when the student â?? who has a 3.7 grade point average â?? presented his essay Tuesday morning during a monthly gathering called â??Rhetoric Revels,â?� which celebrates student work in English classes.

â??Itâ??s really a vehicle for showcasing studentsâ?? work,â?� Bouck said.

The students present their assignments in class first, then turn them in for grading. A selection of the assignments is chosen for presentation during the monthly gatherings.

The English department has had this tradition for the past 10 years with no problem.

That is until Tuesday.

Three 11th grade English classes were gathered for this monthâ??s readings. The students had written their persuasive speeches a couple of weeks ago and turned them in without endings.

The students selected to present Tuesday were to read the conclusions to their speeches. They spoke in the schools large assembly hall before an audience estimated at 120 to 150 people.

The 17-year-old boy made his case for the legalization of marijuana and then went for a big finish.

â??At the end of his speech, he pulled out a marijuana joint, lit it and began to smoke it,â?� Bouck said.

Officials brought the student to the office, â??where appropriate action was taken,â?� Bouck said, declining to elaborate. Then it was off to juvie jail.

One student present for the teenâ??s speech said it was eloquent, well argued and sincerely moved many students.

â??The student was making a statement towards (what he felt as) the arbitrary taboo our society places on marijuana use,â?� the 17-year-old junior stated in a comment on The News Tribuneâ??s Web site. â??He took action in what he believes. â?¦ I do not condone the action, but I commend the passion.â?�

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

[email protected]

Galaxy Reviewed by Galaxy on 06-03-2009. Studentâ??s marijuana speech ends with a trip to jail Studentâ??s marijuana speech ends with flourish â?? and trip to jail Education: 17-year-old lights joint to make point STACEY MULICK; The News Tribune Published: 06/03/09 6:08 am The teachers wanted persuasive. And they got it. Rating: 5

[gypski]

Ain't it a crying shame that adults don't have balls as large as this kid and fire one up in the House of Congress! Hat's off to the lad!! :thumbsup:

[overgrowthegovt]

I am so proud...I really feel we're beginning to win the fight, for the hearts and minds of the people, at any rate. The governing bodies will always be against us, but we're slowly winning over the populace.

[Nyghtfire0]

i'll agree the kids got nuts.
you have to respect him for it.

[SonicHaze]

Hahaha, that's dope.

[Sir Bliss]

I'm smoking this bowl to that kid.

That's awesome.

[killerweed420]

I love it. Nothing better in this country than sticking up for your 1st amendment rights.:thumbsup:
Maybe its the start of the 60's all over again.lol

[jeepboi]

good for the kid but he goes to juvi while if we did that a little more consequences would happen Now if 100 Terminal patient did it, it would have a resounding effect. IMHO

but im a sissy with my butt virginity and its going to stay like that jail is one thing but Prison is another.

[Gatekeeper777]

good thing he wasn't akeing a case for porn eh!

[killerweed420]

He should try to get all the kids he can to light up on the front steps of the school.lol