A student was caught with marijuana at Moorpark College by one of the Ventura County Community College police officers Thursday, Sept. 29.

This student was not the first to be found in possession of marijuana, according to Moorpark College Police Officer Taylor Kronberger . Since the start of the semester, there have been nine people who got arrested and fined for the possession of concentrate cannabis in the district’s other colleges. Four of those instances occurred at Moorpark.

“It is common for the police department [of Moorpark College] to encounter students in possession of marijuana,” Kronberger said.

Students should know that possession of marijuana in small quantities is an infraction and can result in a fine. While cannabis concentrate is a misdemeanor and can result in fines and jail time. Students who got caught with marijuana or other drugs on campus are also subjected to disciplinary procedures imposed by the administration for violating the “Student Code of Conduct”, according to Kronberger.

The code is based on the “Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989.” The law states that the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students on the premises of any of the colleges, the District Administration Center, or at any VCCCD sponsored or sanctioned event is prohibited.

Moorpark is not just a tobacco-free campus but it is also a drug-free campus. Any type of controlled substances are strictly not allowed on campus premises.

The disciplinary procedures can range anywhere from a written warning to a suspension and it can even lead, in extreme cases, to expulsion, according to Kronberger.