NYU's Pot Penalty Too Pungent

Last May, math-majoring junior Michael Quercia was arrested for possession of 10 ounces of pot in his dorm room, and NYU decided that he should perform 500 hours of community service and would remain suspended until 2007. Quercia thought that was a bit extreme, and a Manhattan judge agreed, calling NYU's ruling "a Draconian measure that is disproportionate to the offense committed." The Daily News reported that Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub thinks that Quercia should be "reinstated after completing 100 hours of community service" - which Quercia is performing at the Salvation Army Northport Veterans Residence.

NYU, though, will appeal, probably trying to set an example after the saga of drug-dealing Julia Diaco, aka the Pot Princess. Incoming NYU freshies, take note: NYU will nail your ass to the wall if you have pot in your dorm room, but you may be able to parlay it all into being a singer. And it looks like Quercia pleaded guilty to criminal charges, since the Post reports his criminal punishment was $95 fine and 10 days community service. Updated: Quercia's lawyer, Bernie Kleinman, wanted to clarify that Quercia only pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

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Comments (18) [rss]

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10 Zs is really big bag. it's definitely not for personal use.

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Unless you have glacoma, no way is 10oz. for personal use.

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10 Z's!!! Fuck that--500 hours sounds about right.

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i don't understand. did he face any punishment outside of nyu?? if not, a one year suspension and 500 hours of community service is not that bad for 10 oz of weed. when you have that much it's not just your lil stash for personal use. and besides, to get that community service done all he would have to do is work at a summer camp for 3 weeks (you accumulate hrs as you sleep too if you're on-site)...big f'n deal

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This is unbelievable, it's just a blatant example of a rich NYU kid getting off easy. I doubt he has faced any punishment outside of NYU and 10 ounces is pretty bad. I'd venture if this had happened to some poor person in the Bronx, he'd be locked up right now.

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It looks like he pleaded guilty to criminal charges, with his punishment being a $95 fine and 10 days of community service.

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Since when do judges have the power to tell colleges who is allowed to enroll. The judge should be thrown off the bench.

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wow...95$ fine and 10 days of community service. that's outrageous. many people who aren't even poor, including myself, get absolutely done dry for equivalent or lesser offenses. clay is right, if some low income person from the bronx was caught with 10oz they'd be on an all-expenses paid vacation upstate right now. and right on pugsley, it's not like this is a civil rights issue...kid got thrown out for blatantly breaking the rules

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NYU is a private institution which should be able to punish its students as it sees fit. This guy should have gotten the boot! He's lucky the University is allowing him back.

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PARLEZ -- not parlay.

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Criminal enforcement of anti-marijauna laws now absorbs a major part of the NYC NYPD/Criminal Justice budget. Is this a good way to deploy cops, judges, prosecutors and defenders? Are we devoting inappropriately large amounts of resources to a problem which might be smaller than -- for example traffic fatalities and injuries?

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I'm with Mr. Millstone on this one. Why don't we all just mind our own business and Legalize It?

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duh,

Actually it is "Parlay". It is a gambling term that means leaving your winnings from the previous round on the table is hopes of winning more on the next bet. She's taking the publicity she got for being the pot princess and using that to try to become more famous as a singer.

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I agree with Adam. He is VERY luckily NYU didnt kicked him out altogether.

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What a bunch of right wingers reading the Goth. Shouldn't pot be legal already? Alchohol causes far more deaths, murders, car accidents, spousal/child abuses etc.? Stop medicating children too. LEGALIZE IT! That's the issue...

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Amen, funkydollarbill. But I don't think that it's just rightwingers, even liberals these days are puritanical narcs.

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hey "duh," actually it's not french, it's parlay. see definition 2 below.

par·lay
tr.v. par·layed, par·lay·ing, par·lays
1. To bet (an original wager and its winnings) on a subsequent event.
2. To maneuver (an asset) to great advantage

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dict.asp?Word=parlay

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marijuana, while illegal, is less harmful than cigarettes and according to federal law, is as or more harmful than a loaded firearm.

here's the New York State law in regards to marijuana:

more than two ounces -- a fine of up to $1000.00 or one year in jail - Class A misdemeanor.

NYU Drug Policy:
"Statement of Policy on Substance Abuse
In addition to policies and practices that
emphasize concern for the welfare of individuals,
the University also recognizes the
importance of maintaining the safety and
well-being of the community as a whole.
The University therefore adheres to the following
guidelines concerning the unlawful
possession, use, or distribution of drugs:
1. The unlawful possession, use, or
distribution of drugs will not be tolerated
on University premises.
2. Upon finding evidence of the unlawful
possession, use, or distribution of drugs on
its premises by any student, the University
will take appropriate disciplinary action,
including, but not limited to, probation,
suspension, or expulsion.
3. Using regularly established procedures,
the University will take disciplinary action,
up to and including discharge, against any
member of the faculty or staff found to be
unlawfully using, possessing, or distributing
drugs on University premises.
Faculty, staff, and students should also
be aware that, in addition to University
sanctions, they may be subject to criminal
prosecution under federal and state laws that
specify fines or imprisonment or loss of federal
financial student aid for conviction of
drug-related offenses.
Where appropriate or necessary, the University will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies."

NYU Student's Guide. PGs 230-231.

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