Students that attend Highline are smoking weed, and they have different thoughts on how it affects them.

According to Highline statistics, campus has had more incidents with alcohol than with drugs on campus and on campus housing. But that’s not to say students aren’t using drugs while on campus. Sometimes bathrooms or some cars in the parking lot will smell of recent use.

“I would regularly use my oil pen which is discrete and does not leave an obvious smell,” said one former Highline student.

Despite the prohibition of smoking marijuana, tobacco is still allowed on campus even though there are situations where weed can be medicinal.

“I feel there’s a double standard with smoking areas. Given our state legality and widespread marijuana use, there will be users of marijuana,” said the former student.

“If I wanted to smoke weed, I would basically take a walk down that trail behind Highline. It goes to one of the benches by the duck pond, and I’d smoke over there. It was quiet, it was peaceful, and you could enjoy a little bit of nature before getting back to class,” he said. 

“Students will find a way to smoke weed, even if it’s not on campus,” he added.

Other students thought that this double standard wasn’t an issue.

“I never minded the designated spots for tobacco on campus, that’s kind of just the way the world has always been,” said a second student.

“Stoners will find their own places to smoke, which they have done for decades. I don’t really think there’s a need for a designated weed smoking location,” said a third student.

Students were mixed about their thoughts, but mostly felt that their use of weed was detrimental to their schoolwork.

“I would say my peak usage was around 2-3 days a week, though this would change depending on my courses each quarter,” said the first student.

“While I used it to keep myself focused while studying, or doing homework, I found it to inhibit my ability to function and learn in the classroom. I felt it did more harm than good while on campus going to my classes,” he added.

Other students thought similarly, but either worked with it or around it.

“It didn’t get in the way of my school work because I was always very careful about not using it until all my work was done,” said the second student.

“I would smoke about once or twice a week, always on a Friday or Saturday night after all my homework was done,” he added.

“I was partaking because I was undergoing a lot of stress and issues at home. Being high gave me a way to not feel like I have to care and that life was ok,” said the third student.

“It most certainly did get in the way. I wasn’t dependent on it physically, but it took away stress. It also hurt my motivation to really complete anything school related. While high I would rather order a pizza and watch space and nature documentaries,” he added.

While weed may not be the best way to destress, sometimes we all need to take a moment to appreciate the ducks in their pond.