The legalization of marijuana in Ohio may have an impact on Otterbein’s Campus.
Otterbein may soon be faced with decisions about changing their policy on marijuana due to the state of Ohio considering legalizing marijuana.
Otterbein University has a policy regarding marijuana use. According to Julie Saker, associate dean of students, marijuana offenses on campus are dealt with purely on a legal basis; Residence Life calls the authorities and lets them deal with suspected students.
As the issue of the legalization of marijuana in Ohio heats up, Otterbein Police Department may have to change their policy on dealing with marijuana use among students.
“I don’t think it [Otterbein’s policy] would change. I mean why would it? It’s still a school, and I thought they were even thinking about banning cigs on campus,” freshman chemistry major Nick Snabes said.
There are some students that feel this is not a correct reaction for the university.
“It’s not up to a school to over arch on people’s freedoms." junior acting major Jeff Gise said. "If it’s a law and it’s a right of ours then it needs be a right of ours. And we need to have, as adults, the ability to do whatever we please,”
Across the country people are looking to states such as Colorado, Washington and Oregon for examples of to how to regulate marijuana policy. Universities are also studying these states.
Oregon has legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and the law should go into effect by the end of this year. The University of Oregon made headlines by becoming a “smoke free” campus in 2012, but the university also had to make the policy on drug use more explicit.
“Marijuana use is, and will continue to be, prohibited on campus,” Robin Holmes, University of Oregon’s VP for Student Life, said.
Even though the University of Oregon’s policy is just as clear as Otterbein’s, University of Oregon is providing courses that help educate on marijuana law, effects and scholastic policy.
According to a 2011 CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey, “Marijuana use among Otterbein students has risen almost 10 percent since 2008, jumping from 19.7 percent to 27.5 percent.”
As Ohio looks to join other states in passing laws legalizing marijuana, campuses around the country, including Otterbein, may need to adapt to the new marijuana climate if the drug is legalized.
