Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2011
Source: State Press, The (AZ Edu)
Copyright: 2011 ASU Web Devil
Contact:  http://www.statepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3961
Author: Katherine Torres
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

ABOR BANS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Despite the allowance of medical marijuana in Arizona, the Arizona 
Board of Regents will not be allowing the substance on any state 
university campuses.

ABOR's policy is in keeping with the Drug Free Workplace Act and the 
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, which requires places 
receiving federal money or financial assistance under federal 
programs must prevent the possession or distribution of illegal drugs 
or alcohol.

Arizona universities would forfeit any federal money they are 
receiving, including grants and scholarships, if they allowed the 
possession of medical marijuana on campus.

Air traffic management senior John Burgmeier, like many ASU students, 
has received federal grants through the university in the past.

"I know that medical marijuana can be healing for some people, but 
it's still in violation of federal law," he said. "I don't want to 
lose my money."

Students and staff will be able to access information about the 
policy from "normal communication channels" that ASU uses for the 
student code of conduct and human resources, said Sharon Keeler, 
director of media relations in the Office of Public Affairs.

ASU has communicated the restriction of medical marijuana to ASU 
Police, but if a student is caught with it, they will not be in 
violation of state law.

For ASU students, the change in policy might not mean much. Burgmeier 
said he understood the federal rules that ASU has to follow.

"People who have prescriptions for medical marijuana should just be 
able to go off campus," he said. "It's not that far of a walk."

Students who are found in possession or use of medical marijuana on 
campus will be in violation of university policy, she said.

"If they have a medical marijuana card then they are not in violation 
of state law, should the law hold up in court," she said.

Keeler did not cite specific consequences to students who are found 
with medical marijuana, but said that students who are found in 
violation of this policy will be handled "on a per student basis."

Students and staff who may have medical marijuana cards are not under 
university policy when they are off campus and should be under the 
protection of state law.

Current laws regarding zoning and regulations of medical marijuana 
are still being finalized. Arizona is currently in the process of 
determining whether the medical marijuana law is in conflict with 
federal drug statutes or not.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom