Awkward College Roommate

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

A relative of mine was actually caught selling (bad I know, I don't do drugs, I drink legally, and what have you...). They took his 2A rights and a lot of others for being a convicted felon. He did, however, get his 2A rights back by writing the governor at the time. Since the conviction wasn't violent and he never had a gun illegaly, they gave him back his 2A rights. It's just how you handle it and what you're convicted of, I guess.

 

[lobo9er]

Until the police show up and go after every person present in the room.

pretty slim, could happen, but probably not. sounds like everyone is pretty lax in the building or floor. so it would be mortablunt to call in the federallies if anyone. And if he does, , he should plan to be at class or visiting a friend when the raid happens.

 

[mortablunt]

Thanks for the input, it's been very helpful hearing from others who've been in my position. I have taken my issue directly to the Dean of Students office and I am more or less telling him that as a paying student, I expect to be able to get the education I'm paying for without living in a drug den. Essentially, I've done my end of the bargain now hold up yours.' All phrased very politely of course. And guess what, they've actually said that they might be able to find arrangements for me. This is good, because the doctor said that I'm going to give myself respiratory problems if I don't move out.

 

[redraidermgr]

I hope that they can find a suitable room for you. I know that alot of universities will overbook and count on several students not showing up or failling out really early. After a couple weeks it should have cleared up by now.

Good luck and I hope that a new room will improve your health.

 

[aeriedad]

Handling things like an adult usually gets good results. Let us know how things turn out.

 

[kayak-man]

Glad to hear things are improving! Keep us posted.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[zxcvbob]

And guess what, they've actually said that they might be able to find arrangements for me.

That is encouraging, but still not very committal on their part. You need to hold them to it and don't let them just stall until the end of the semester (or school year)

 

[Shadow 7D]

Type up a nice letter to the editor etc.
negative publicity will often do what politeness doesn't.

 

[wep45]

you best bust that pot head, before you are taken down......guilt by association.

 

[brickeyee]

pretty slim, could happen, but probably not.

With possible long term consequences it is not worth the risk.

One guy I wanted to hire had an open container violation almost 15 years ago when he was on vacation from college.

After a delay they finally granted him a security clearance, bit only at secret level.

Every time they updated his clearance the questions came again about the old violation.

He tried to get a top secret clearance and access to a compartment and was turned down.

Another manager lost his TS, Secret, and then job, after getting caught shoplifting a candy bar worth less than $1.
He had to take a significant pay cut at his next non-cleared job.

If you know for absolute sure you will never need a background check or a security clearance, stay around weed-heads.

 

[Mike1234567]

A Secret clearance isn't likely to be denied to one even if busted with weed while in college. They'll ask about it but, provided you openly admit it, it's not likely to matter. A Secret clearance isn't difficult to get. In fact, they take indebtedness FAR more seriously than a minor weed bust that occurred years ago.

 

[Ramrod17]

I am also a college student and have seen how this situation can progress (fortunately not to me) and the consequences that can happen to the innocent roommates. I am happy that you are starting to get somewhere with the campus authorities although I have a few recommendations.

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE! You need to search everything thing that either you own, have partial ownership or is considered to be in your possession. Desks, drawers, bags, fridges, even your clothing pockets. From what I have seen the type of person you are dealing with will have no problem storing their illegal belongings in areas that could put you in hot water. I have watched friends loose their college scholarships and education over some druggy hiding their stash in their roommates belongings. You want to be absolutely certain that anything that has your name tied to it has nothing within it that could tie you to the drugs. Even search dirty crusty socks that have fallen behind furniture and do not take his word for it!

This is something that you are going to have to do constantly. If you have a car or a friend in another dorm or house that you can store some of you stuff in securely I would highly recommend that. Especially if this guy starts dealing before you are able to move out, he is going to have more illegal substances that he will need to find "extra" hiding places for.

If you are able to find someone who you can stay with either a couple nights a week or more that can be very beneficial. As people have said you need to separate yourself as much as possible from your roommate and that dorm room.

Document everything you have done and everything you do in trying to resolve this problem.

I know this sounds a bit extreme but unfortunately if the police do get drug into this or even if it is just the school itself, from what I have personally seen happen to other people, more cases then not, you will be guilty until proven innocent.

I know that it is not very easy to just up and move out of your dorm, and more likely then not, you are going to have to wait until after winter break to get a new room because the higher-ups tend to not take these things with much urgency.

Until then, separate yourself as much as you can even if you have to sleep in the common room.

Hopefully your experience will not end poorly, but you need to protect yourself.

Welcome to College

 

[Strykervet]

Quit whining. Nobody like a tattletale or a goodie two shoes either, and that is what your college is telling you by holding everyone accountable. They want you to work it out on your own.

This doesn't have anything to do with firearms anyway. Last I heard, you were trying to convince you parents to let you get an AK47 (but it had to have a bayonet, you know, for HD). ATF isn't kicking your door down and stealing your rights because your roomie smokes the bong. If they do, then perhaps it is time to shoot back.

The worst thing your roomie can do is get a C when he should have gotten an A. You could do a lot worse. Also, nobody like being around a person that is always better than everyone else. Remember that. Sometimes sucking up minor inconveniences in the short run benefits you greatly in the long run.

If the smoke truly bothers you, tell them it causes asthma attacks and you can't be in the same room for health reasons, sorry. If they stand in your way, go over their heads. Go to disability services and talk to them.

 

[LiquidTension]

Would exposure to second-hand pot smoke make you test positive on a drug test?

No. Unless you were exposed to that second hand smoke by hotboxing a car or small closet with the guy. The "I haven't done anything but I've been around people that have" excuse is the most common one used by criminals I've drug tested and it's just not true. In those cases I've happily submitted the sample for a gas chromatograph test that clearly shows levels of THC that are only attainable by actually smoking the stuff. The test sticks that most places use have a fairly high threshold for showing positive. We have far more false negatives than false positives.

 

[aeriedad]

You tell the OP to stop whining...

Quit whining. Nobody like a tattletale or a goodie two shoes either, and that is what your college is telling you by holding everyone accountable. They want you to work it out on your own.

Then you tell him to whine...

If the smoke truly bothers you, tell them it causes asthma attacks and you can't be in the same room for health reasons, sorry. If they stand in your way, go over their heads. Go to disability services and talk to them.

Health is a legitimate factor in asking for another room, but the matter of 2A rights is also relevant since the OP's roommate is considering selling now. Can't trust somebody like that to go down by himself. I think the OP is handling this about as maturely as possible. He's put up with this guy for two months already, so asking for advice here hardly qualifies as whining.

 

[mortablunt]

Quit whining. Nobody like a tattletale or a goodie two shoes either, and that is what your college is telling you by holding everyone accountable. They want you to work it out on your own.

That doesn't match the messages I've been seeing over on my end. The way that they talk about is that they can't decide whether or not to let students do it behind closed doors or if they want us to spy on our neighbors like in the USSR. They obviously don't care too much about it, but they make token efforts in order to discourage lawsuits.

This doesn't have anything to do with firearms anyway. Last I heard, you were trying to convince you parents to let you get an AK47 (but it had to have a bayonet, you know, for HD). ATF isn't kicking your door down and stealing your rights because your roomie smokes the bong. If they do, then perhaps it is time to shoot back.

This has to do with firearms because if something happens, I got implicated with Schedule 1 Controlled Substances, which would be a felony and therefore it would be curtains for my gun rights.

The worst thing your roomie can do is get a C when he should have gotten an A. You could do a lot worse. Also, nobody like being around a person that is always better than everyone else. Remember that. Sometimes sucking up minor inconveniences in the short run benefits you greatly in the long run.

Actually, based on his performance, I think he may very well self-destruct and flunk out. And no, I am not being preachy or arrogant. Finally, I don't think that a roommate who disrupts my sleep and study at all hours is a minor inconvenience. He's either blasting rap at 3 A.M. and asking the same questions 50 times in a row like "dude, what would you do if when you woke up, I put a bong in your face and you inhaled?", of he is sleeping when I'm trying to do homework and moaning about the fact that keyboards make noise.

 

[Byrd666]

Look man, YOUR health is first and foremost. If you have exhausted all possible polite and tactful options along with letting know of your health concerns, and a possible call to parents, then you pretty much have no choice but to go to the local PD. You seem to be at a dead end with the campus "help" so the only other logical choice is to a heavier external influence.

Hate to hear of this happening for ya.

 

[Davek1977]

I got implicated with Schedule 1 Controlled Substances,

False...unless you are SELLING pot, possession of personal use amounts is either a misdemeanor or even a civil offense in many places, Many jurisdictions have reduced possession penalties to being more akin to a speeding ticket or open container violation, rather an a felony level offense. Long story short, misdemeanor possession of marijuana is not seen as a big deal in most (not all, but most) places in this day and age.

 

[CollinLeon]

No. Unless you were exposed to that second hand smoke by hotboxing a car or small closet with the guy. The "I haven't done anything but I've been around people that have" excuse is the most common one used by criminals I've drug tested and it's just not true. In those cases I've happily submitted the sample for a gas chromatograph test that clearly shows levels of THC that are only attainable by actually smoking the stuff. The test sticks that most places use have a fairly high threshold for showing positive. We have far more false negatives than false positives.

I have been to concerts back in the '70s where the amount of smoke from the potheads was so great that I felt noticeably stoned at the time. It was like a cloud back then. I have to think that it would be possible to test positive after such an experience. These days if I go to the oldies concerts by the same groups (if they are even still alive), I do not see this amongst the attendees... Maybe all the druggies died out or just don't have the money to pay for the concerts these days... Maybe they can't operate their walkers while stoned...

 

[RustHunter87]

Talk to your ra

Fist of all unless hes like blowing smoke in you face 24/7 i really cant believe he gave you a cough its more likely any number of other Filthy Germ Covered aspects of dorm life.
But having said that you should not have to live with that, So Talk to the dude and tell him to cut it out, it that doset work threatin him with the fact you can get him kicked out of school or worst! Than do so if necessary, but getting him arrested is certainly not the way to handle it JUST TALK TO YOUR RA!

 

[Mike1234567]

Second-hand smoke of ANY kind can affect your health.

 

[aeriedad]

False...unless you are SELLING pot, possession of personal use amounts is either a misdemeanor or even a civil offense in many places, Many jurisdictions have reduced possession penalties to being more akin to a speeding ticket or open container violation, rather an a felony level offense. Long story short, misdemeanor possession of marijuana is not seen as a big deal in most (not all, but most) places in this day and age.

The OP said he overheard his roommate discuss the possibility of selling to increase his cash flow.

If the dirtbag roommate does start selling, the quantities of drugs in the dorm room will be greater than those normally associated with ordinary possession, more like those of trafficking. An arrest followed by acquittal or dropped charges can still be a hassle when trying to purchase a firearm or obtain a CCW. The OP's concerns are well justified. Even if the risk of arrest is relatively low, the potential down-the-road troubles should be avoided if possible.

 

[95XL883]

Assuming you will tolerate a comment from a lurker.

My son is in a similar situation. We're taking steps to get him into another place. I'm proud of him for recognizing the potential trouble and looking for a way out.

I once left a job because I suspected real trouble would come. Twelve months after I left the FBI started calling. I was okay. I got out before they got involved and I didn't do, or have knowledge of, any malfeasance. I just suspected trouble and split.

I admire your ability to see potential trouble and do what you can to avoid it.

Good luck.

 

[Mr.Blue]

Tell him to cut down on the smoking. If he doesnt, knock him the f&$k out. No one likes a rat.

Obviously you can't do what I suggested. This world is too sissified for that. Do not get the police involved. Leave it up to the University to decide how to deal with it.

Something tells me that you were all too happy to smoke up in the beginning, but changed your mind over time. In that case, man it up.

 

[mortablunt]

Tell him to cut down on the smoking. If he doesnt, knock him the f&$k out. No one likes a rat.

I would love to do that, and he'd have it coming.

Obviously you can't do what I suggested. This world is too sissified for that. Do not get the police involved. Leave it up to the University to decide how to deal with it.

I wish I could beat the stuffing out of him, but apparently, rules about violence and bullying only apply to me and only when I'm not being a sheep. If he starts trafficking, I'm going to anonymously tip the police off. If I leave it up to the university, he pretty much gets a stern finger wagging.

Something tells me that you were all too happy to smoke up in the beginning, but changed your mind over time. In that case, man it up.

I have never used Marijuana and I did not want to at the start of the year. Now that I've been in close proximity with potheads for the past 2 months, I never want to even smell the stuff again.