By Delaney Runge
Copy Editor
According to the Maryland Government website, as of July 1 2023, Maryland residents 21 and over are eligible to purchase cannabis products from licensed sellers. Despite this change in state law, the policy for cannabis on Washington College’s campus stays the same as previous years.
According to the WC Student Handbook 2023-2024, “Cannabis is prohibited on campus. Any student who is found to be in possession of or using cannabis will be referred to the student conduct system for possible sanctions or education.”
This policy was also sent to the College community via email by Dean of Students Gregory Krikorian.
“As you may be aware the State of Maryland has recently enacted legislation related to the use of cannabis,” Krikorian said. “As a private college that receives Federal funding it is important to know that this recently announced legislation does NOT change College policy.”
The unchanging policies following the new state laws is a reality that more than just WC students face.
According to the University of Maryland College Park’s Division of Student Affairs website, “Maryland State law now permits the personal possession and use of cannabis under certain circumstances for those over the age of 21.
However, as required by federal law, University policy on cannabis will not change.” Since both institutions receive federal funding in some capacity, they are required to adhere to federal law, specifically the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, noted in the WC Student Handbook under the cannabis policy.
“It’s not an option for us to do anything else other than to adhere to federal law,” Krikorian said. “Federal law supersedes state law especially as it relates to this and if we didn’t follow it, we would jeopardize receipt of federal funding, which includes federal financial aid.”
The legalization of cannabis is not a federal law, and as such, according to Director of Public Safety Chief Ryan Colman, it is “still a scheduled drug under federal guidelines.” According to Colman, it is Public Safety’s job to mandate this policy.
“Public Safety has a duty to enforce college policy as well as state law,” he said. Colman also said that Public Safety wants students to know that they are here to help and keep everyone safe. “We understand that with the law change it has many people confused about if they can or cannot have [cannabis] and the age restrictions around it,” Colman said.
“We are here to help educate our student body and visitors on this when we encounter it on campus. It is not about how many we can catch or trying to jam someone up, but to enforce the policies set in place and assure we are doing our part as a department in keeping our campus within the guidelines.”
According to Krikorian, enforcing this policy is a combined effort between three offices on campus: Public Safety, Residential Life, and Student Affairs. “Public Safety’s role is to ensure cannabis is not being consumed or possessed on college property,” Colman said.
“If officers happen to locate someone with cannabis, they take the appropriate action in identifying the individual, confiscating the items related to cannabis, and then documenting it in a report to be sent to Student Affairs.
They then decide on further action as a student conduct issue, not a criminal justice issue.” Summing up the policy as it stands, Krikorian said, “You can’t possess cannabis, cannabis products, or marijuana on campus, period.”