While Rowan University could offer more specific details for students, they are limited mainly due to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, which still apply to universities in states with legalization.
“Marijuana is still considered a schedule-1 controlled dangerous substance on the federal level; just because the state decriminalized it doesn’t mean the federal government approves,” said Michael Kantner, the assistant vice president of public safety and emergency management coordinator. “That doesn’t mean we will charge you with a federal crime, but you can’t have it on campus because that could affect federal funding and put Rowan in a libelous position.”
Instead of a federal charge, students found in possession or smoking cannabis on campus will be subject to student-life disciplinary programs, much like the school has done before legalization.
“We try to use discretion to educate the future leaders of society. Instead of going through the criminal justice system on the law and public safety side, [students] mainly go through the student-conduct side through community standards in student life,” said Kantner.
According to Rowan’s code of conduct, students who are found responsible for code violations that involve alcohol or drug use may be required to attend educational programs intended to inform them about substance abuse.
“If you have marijuana on campus, we can still confiscate it; it’s not your weed anymore, and we will let student life know,” said Kantner. “The university has a little more leeway in handling it than a municipality because we have student conduct. We also have human resources for employees and staff who violate it.”