For those of you who were out of town or deeply engrossed in studying at the time, marijuana was apparently legal on campus Monday.

Yes, “Hemp Tour ‘90,” a 60-date cross-country tour promoting the call to legalize marijuana, made it’s way to NIU Monday. The tour is sponsored by HEMP—Help End Marijuana Prohibition, and each time the tour makes a stop, a rally is held and attendants light up to protest current marijuana laws.

Though the attendants of these rallies partake in an illegal actions, it’s been understood since their inception almost 20 years ago that police will not make arrests. Since the rallies in some cities have involved thousands of people, this decision does not seem like a bad one, as long as everything is kept under control.

Many who attended the rally at the West Lagoon Monday did smoke marijuana; none of them were arrested. No violence or anarchy was apparent.

No police were apparent either.

Allowing a peaceful, though illegal, action to take place is one thing, but perhaps the University Police should have at least roamed the rally site to make their presence felt, and remind everyone that marijuana STILL IS ILLEGAL.

Many have talked about the economic and ecological benefits hemp would have in store for society if it were legalized, but until all the right laws are passed, the ILLEGAL activity of smoking marijuana should not be taken for granted.