By Natalie Scott
BANGOR, ME- Cannabis is defined as, “a tall plant with a stiff upright stem, divided serrated leaves, and glandular hairs. It is used to produce hemp fiber and as a psychotropic drug.” Weed, pot, marijuana, whatever you may call it, we’ve all heard about this plant. Some people believe it is a miracle drug, used to help patients with Cerebral Palsy, cancer, mental health disorders, and seizures disorders. It is used for chronic pain or relaxation. Some individuals may even just use it to have a good time.
On December 31st the proclamation for Question 1, the legalization of marijuana, was received, signed, and dated from the office of Governor Paul Lepage. On January 30th of 2017 marijuana became legal in the state of Maine. Many people were thrilled about the use of recreational marijuana, but most of these Maine citizens didn’t know the regulations required by the state law.
What many people do not know is the fact that if you are caught with more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana it is considered a crime. You may face up to 6 months in prison and have to pay a fine of 1,000 dollars or more. The more marijuana that you possess, the more time you will face and the higher amount of money your fine will be. Another element to the legalization of marijuana is the sales and distribution. An individual is not able to to sell marijuana. If you are caught selling one pound or less you could be sentenced up to one year and you may be fined up to 2,000 dollars, according to Normal, Working to Reform Marijuana Laws.
Unlike cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and lottery tickets that require you to be eighteen years of age, or older, to purchase, you must be at least twenty-one years of age to use recreational marijuana. Although there are differences, there are similarities as well. No one is allowed to smoke marijuana in a non-smoking area. Whether or not you’re at a hotel, school, restaurant, or shopping mall, if there is a no smoking sign, you cannot use this product there. What many people didn’t realize was the fact that marijuana could not be used on school grounds. Husson University, a private college in Bangor, prohibits smoking of any kind on campus. Even the ever-so-popular vapor pen is not allowed on school grounds. Husson University states that, “The purpose of this policy is to reduce harm from tobacco use and secondhand smoke, provide an environment that encourages persons to be tobacco-free, reduce health insurance and health care costs, and promote a campus culture of wellness.”
The National Center for Campus Public Safety states that, “The Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act, for instance, still requires IHEs to maintain policies that prohibit marijuana possession, use, or distribution by students, faculty, and staff. Failing to comply could result in the loss of federal funding.11,12 These are a few of the challenges that, like many other organizations, IHEs face as a direct and indirect result of legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana in their community or in neighboring states.” Many schools all over the country are smoke free, and many of them plan to keep it that way.
“Because Husson University students receives federal monies, the University must comply with federal law or risk a losing access to those funds,” said Raymond Bessette, head of Husson security.
Any student who is caught on campus using marijuana products could potentially face a federal offense. If Husson University allowed the use of recreational marijuana on their campus they would lose their federal funds. Students, staff, and faculty work very hard to keep the campus of Husson University clean and smoke free. “People should be able to use it recreationally if they choose, as long as there are limits and it is taxed. I don’t agree with using it on campus, because we are federally funded and should follow all federal laws over state laws,” said Bryce Carter, a sophomore at Husson University who lives on campus. Carter wasn’t the only student to live on campus who agreed with these rules. Even though smoking on campus is prohibited, rules have been broken before. Many students live with allergies and asthma and smoking on campus can do them more harm than good. There are health beneficiaries that go along with the use of marijuana, some people believe it’s nothing but trouble, others think you should be able to smoke it freely as you please, and some claim that it helps them relax.
“My feelings on it are people are going to do it regardless, so now that there is a state profit for it, I say go for it. Personally I hate the smell, but if it’s legal in the state, it should be legal on campus,” said Katie Brewer, a junior who lives on campus. There are some people who are completely willing and able to let marijuana be free to smoke on campus, there are people who don’t really have an opinion on the subject, and there are some people who want absolutely nothing to do it.
Tim Burns, a senior at Husson University, has lived on campus for three years and did not approve of students using it illegally in the dorms throughout these years, and he doesn’t approve of it now, even though it is legal outside of campus walls. “It feels like the government is giving up for no reason and I do not approve. I don’t think it should be on campus.” Various students, including Burns, agreed on one thing. There is no point for recreational marijuana to be legalized in the state of Maine.
