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Marijuana is a very popular topic on Grand View’s campus. However, it is illegal. Grand View’s student handbook clearly states that possession, use or distribution of drugs of any kind is prohibited. In fact smoking in all forms is prohibited on campus. Students who are found in violation of the drug or alcohol policy are subject to the following:

• educational reports
• service hours
• fees
• meeting with university staff
• room searches
• probation
• removal from university housing
• suspension and even expulsion

The legal punishment is a fine under $1,000 or would not exceed six months in jail. So for students, the consequences of getting caught on campus are much less harsh than legal punishments.

The Grand View student handbook defines marijuana as having negative physical and mental effects.

According to a study done by the University of Michigan, 38 percent of college students said they have used marijuana in the past 12 months.

Students from Grand View gave their opinions on marijuana on campus. One said she didn’t care and knew people on her floor did, but only on weekends.

Another student said that his neighbor smokes a lot and always smells like it, he has no idea how he hasn’t been caught yet.

One student didn’t even know you could be kicked out of residential living due to being caught with marijuana.

Director of Residence, Adam Demers, says it’s a process.

“First the student needs to be caught either with the marijuana in their possession or in the act of smoking. Then based on the amount, the appropriate actions are taken such as probation or removal from campus housing,” Demers said.

If they feel it’s necessary, the student is placed in a basic program for education on marijuana consumption. If the student is then caught a second time with marijuana they are removed from campus housing.

Although personal beliefs may differ from person to person campus wide one thing stays the same, the rules of the university.

Hall director Eli Nicholes says his personal beliefs may be different but his position as a hall director dictates how he is going to feel in a given situation.

“It’s a zero tolerance policy; students should know that given the guidelines in our student handbook,” Nicholes said.