Marijuana use, possession remains strictly prohibited on-campus
People wait in line at Sunnyside Dispensary on Jan. 22, a cannabis dispensary located on 1704 S. Neil St. Following the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of Illinois, the C-U community has taken a variety of stances on the topic.
January 23, 2020
The questions following the new year’s welcome of marijuana’s legalization about how it translates to campus have been clarified by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Supporting the University’s Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus policy and federal restrictions effective to all federally-funded colleges and universities, use of all forms of marijuana remains illegal on campus property.
In transparency, campus property includes all property owned, leased, occupied, operated or controlled by the University. This extends to cover outdoor spaces, sidewalks and University-owned roads.
With this, students of a non-U.S. citizen status are urged to be cautious in understanding potential implications subsequent to the use and possession of marijuana in concern of their immigration status, visa applications or ability to enter the U.S.
Violations of federal law concerning marijuana could affect a student’s immigration status or the naturalization process regardless of whether actions remain legal under state law. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services identifies violation of federal controlled substance law as a conditional bar to establishing good moral character, significant to the naturalization process.
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With marijuana use or possession remaining strictly prohibited within campus grounds, Illinois’ legalization also establishes several regulations as UIPD emphasizes to be cautious of in regards to off-campus use.
Only consumers aged 21 and older can possess and purchase marijuana products from licensed businesses – with or without a medical marijuana card.
The maximum a person can possess at one time is 30 grams of cannabis flower. The legal limit of concentrate possession is five grams and cannabis-infused products up to 500 milligrams of THC.
While in a vehicle, marijuana must be sealed in an odor-proof, child-resistant container. Violating this statute can result in the driver being arrested for a misdemeanor.
Drivers tested over THC blood concentration of five nanograms or more per milliliter are guilty of driving under the influence.
Use is prohibited in any public place including streets and sidewalks, in any motor vehicle, on school grounds, near someone under the age of 21 or in any place where smoking is prohibited.
Use is prohibited near an on-duty school bus driver, police officer, firefighter or corrections officer.
