So today you made the fateful decision to smoke or carry pot onto the University of Oregon campus. Now, the University of Oregon Police Department has caught you. What is going to happen to you?

UOPD has either received a report about smelling or seeing smoking somewhere like the residence halls or patrol just saw you.

Since it is your first offense and you have less than an ounce on you, the UOPD officer will likely write you up to the Office of Student Conduct. You will not get a citation as long as you aren’t hostile, lying, being difficult or being non-compliant overall.

Remember: UOPD officers always have the authority to issue a citation.

Some time later, you have met with a hearing officer with the Office of Student Conduct, discussed your options and performed a task — like completing an educational course, writing a paper, performing community service or completing counseling assessments.

After all that, you have decided to risk it again. Someone in your residence hall smells what you are up to and calls it in. Once again, an officer of the UOPD catches you with less than an ounce of marijuana on campus for the second time.

This time, since your previous punishment hasn’t affected your decision making, the UOPD officer cites you for the Eugene Municipal Court and sends you to speak with the dean of students.

Let’s rewind a bit. The first time the UOPD catches you this time you, as a minor, have alcohol on you rather than marijuana. The process you go through is practically the same as long as it is your first offense. The UOPD officer will write you up, send you to the Office of Student Conduct and you will perform what you are assigned.

“We want it to be an educational situation,” UOPD public information officer Kelly McIver said. “This kind of behavior has an overall negative impact on campus.”

Something very important to keep in mind: If you are found by the Eugene Police Department, they do not have the same option UOPD has of writing you up and issuing a warning to the system.

If EPD catches you either in possession of marijuana or alcohol as a minor, they have the ability to cite you, give you and Minor in Possession and send you to Eugene Municipal Court.

Just a reminder: Recreational marijuana is currently illegal in the state of Oregon.