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Marijuana is Not Allowed on Missouri College Campuses ,
Despite Missouri ’ s Legalizations of Medical and Adult Use
by Rocco Scarcello , contributing writer Bre Blankenship , co-author
The winds of change blew from ballot boxes across the Show-Me State in November 2018 , when 65 % of Missouri voters passed Amendment 2 . With the Missouri Constitution now permitting the sale of medical marijuana to medical card holders , the beginning of a culture began .
With a sticky green future for Missouri finally not only being embraced but doubled down upon — as you know , Missouri passed a ballot initiative to legalize possession and purchase of recreational marijuana back in November 2022 — it has never been easier for Missourians to find relief from cannabis .
Unfortunately , for college students who could benefit from having and utilizing a medical marijuana card but still live in university dormitories , this reality hasn ’ t exactly come to full fruition yet .
The University of Missouri system is one of many collegiate systems that was early and direct in its messaging regarding the possibility of legalized marijuana rules changing .
On December 7 , 2022 , students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City ( UMKC ) received an email from Michele D . Smith , Ph . D ., the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students . Included in the email was a message from Smith , which read :
“ Dear Students , We continue to ensure our campus remains a safe and welcoming place for every student . Part of that effort includes making sure our campus remains in compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act .
I wanted to bring your attention to the below announcement . As the state of Missouri recently legalized recreational marijuana for those 21 and older , I wanted to remind our student body that due to federal regulations , any use , possession , distribution or manufacture of marijuana remains prohibited on the campus or at any universitysponsored or university-supervised event .”
In a detailed message included underneath the more personal message , the email reads , in part : “ Following the passage of a constitutional amendment last month [ November 2022 ], the use of recreational marijuana for those 21 and older will become legal under certain conditions in the state of Missouri on Thursday , December 8 , 2022 . However , possession and use of marijuana remains subject to many limitations under both the
constitutional amendment and under federal law . The University of Missouri System continues to be bound by the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the federal Drug Free Workplace Act , which requires the UM System to have policies in place that discipline employees and students for possessing or using illegal drugs on university property , university-leased property , or as part of university-sponsored or university-supervised activities .”
Continuing , it reads : “ The prohibition applies to both recreational and medical use . So , even though you might have a medical marijuana identification card , you may still not use or possess marijuana on university property , university-leased property , or as part of any university-sponsored or university-supervised activity .”
Certainly , it can be understood why college students don ’ t have full autonomy over their medical ( let alone recreational ) marijuana decisions on campus . Some risks that come with owning , consuming , or smoking cannabis products in the dorms ( fire , robbery , possibility of injury , etc .) should provide enough pushback to keep the policies in place . Despite the allure of a college experience full of in-dorm consumption , it ’ s rather clear why these policies have been decided — and , eventually , left — as they are .
The other side of the coin , however , is still worth something .
Many college students who could have benefited from a medical marijuana license were left on the outside looking in , as getting caught bringing the product into the safety of the dormitory could lead to penalties as severe as expulsion , depending on the college .
“ Living off-campus definitely makes me feel safer and more comfortable to use medical marijuana because everyone that ’ s walked on the UMKC campus sees all of the signs that say it ’ s a nicotinefree campus , so obviously they won ’ t allow smoking marijuana ,” said Sullivan Nevins , a 22-year-old UMKC student . “ So if I have class , I will wait to smoke until I get home .”
Nevins notes that students living on campus likely feel singled out for their choice of medication , despite the fact that other drugs — such as addictive opioids — are allowed as prescribed .
“ For people living on campus with a medical card , I think that it would make them feel very upset that their choice of medicine is frowned upon and not allowed on campus ,” Nevins said . “ When you think about it , that ’ s their home . They live on campus , so when they ’ re
50 April 2023