By Kevin Kutner
Towson University students may be required to take an educational course about marijuana if the state General Assembly makes the drug legal, a university official said.
Deb Moriarty, the vice president of student affairs at Towson, said that she and the rest of the President’s Council would conduct a thorough review of the new law should it be approved during the current legislative session in Annapolis.
All incoming freshmen are currently required to participate in an online program called AlcoholEDU, which teaches students about the dangers of drinking alcohol. Moriarty said the university would explore marijuana-related programs similar to the AlcoholEDU program.
Legalization of marijuana in Maryland does not mean that universities in the state would be required to allow it on their campuses.
Spencer Bennett, an assistant director of student conduct and civility education at Towson, said that students might still face university charges for marijuana possession on campus, even if the drug is legalized statewide.
Similar circumstances occur on campuses like Brigham-Young University, which forbids alcohol consumption regardless of age.
In addition, Colorado legalized marijuana use earlier this year, but the Colorado University – Boulder’s website says that “while (legalization) allows those 21 and older to possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana for personal use, that provision conflicts with federal law, which still makes marijuana a controlled substance…which require the University, as a recipient of federal funds, to take measures to combat the use of drugs and alcohol.”
“Even though the state would remove the ban and make recreational use legal, that doesn’t mean the institutions of higher education have to abide by that,” Bennett said. “Look at the Towson Code of Conduct as a contract and not a law. It’s not a right to come to TU. It is a privilege, and with privileges come responsibilities.”
Cpl. Kia Williams of the Towson University police department, does not see legalization as a positive step.
“It would lead a gateway to other problems or issues that could arise – it could cause problems, yes, potentially,” Williams said. “I just think that if they do legalize it, then it may do more harm than good, especially on our campus with the climate of alcohol abuse.”
Moriarty sees alcohol as a larger problem at Towson than marijuana. Moriarty said there is strong data that indicates students who drink off campus are more likely to be involved in violations of the law such as vandalism or assault, in addition to underage drinking.
“Students come before us with pretty negative consequences from drinking,” Moriarty said. “Even on campus the number of students we transport to the hospital for alcohol is of concern. We don’t have similar evidence with students who have engaged in marijuana having the same kinds of behavior or repercussions.”
Bennett doesn’t see the university allowing smoking. “Personally, I don’t see the code changing to allow for the possession or use of illegal drugs,” Bennett said.
House Bill 1453, which is sponsored by Baltimore City Democratic Delegate Curt Anderson, would legalize marijuana for public use.
The proposal, which is set for a vote in the House on March 19, would make it legal for Marylanders 21 years of age and older to possess as much as an ounce of marijuana. It would also permit home-growing of up to six marijuana plants.
Tax revenue from the drug would be channeled into public causes like school construction projects and drug and alcohol treatment programs.
One interest group backing the bill is The Marijuana Policy Coalition of Maryland. The group may have reason to feel optimistic. According to a recent survey, 53 percent of Marylanders support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use for anyone who is at least 21 year olds.