The nation has seen a shift in attitudes toward marijuana as the legalization of the drug for medical and recreational usage has taken the stage in political debates and protests; however, the implications of this drug on Bradley’s campus still remain uncertain.
Although federal law prohibits all sale and possession of cannabis, enforcement at the state level varies. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use, and 21 states have approved sale of it for medicinal purposes.
Illinois is included in the list of states that allow the possession, sale, transportation and cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes only. Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill to legalize medical marijuana Aug. 1, 2013.
Since the legislation took effect Jan. 1, the state has received more than 350 applications for marijuana cultivation centers and dispensary licenses, raising $5 million in nonrefundable application fees that will be used to implement, administer and enforce the program.
Licenses for 22 cultivation centers and 60 dispensaries distributed equally throughout the state will be awarded by the end of the year, which will bring cannabis to the central Illinois region as well.
With the introduction of legalized marijuana to the area, students cannot expect to avoid punishments for usage on campus, as federal law specifically prohibits its use, possession and cultivation at any educational institutions.
Despite increased acceptance of the drug nationwide, usage among Bradley students remains low according to Interim Director of Wellness Lyndsey Hawkins.
“Only 12 percent of Bradley students have used marijuana in the past 30 days, which is significantly under the national average of 19 percent,” Hawkins said.
The statistic may seem surprising to some, however.
“Right now, Bradley students are drastically overestimating the amount of people who use marijuana,” Hawkins said.
According to Hawkins, students estimate more than 40 percent of Bradley students use marijuana compared to the actual rate of 12 percent.
In order to correct the misconception, Bradley’s SOcial NORming (SONOR) group will begin a campaign about the issue Sept. 29.
The group uses statistical data on social norms to promote positive messages about alcohol and substance use among students.
“Social norms theory states that whatever we perceive to be the norm, we alter our behavior to fit in with that norm,” Hawkins, who serves as SONOR’s adviser, said. “For those who don’t smoke, they will now hopefully feel less pressure to use. For those who only use occasionally or are regular users, we hope they don’t feel the pressure to use as often.”
Junior and SONOR public relations chair Emily Barack said the organization hopes to inform students and raise awareness about marijuana usage on campus.
“As with all of our other campaigns, we won’t tell them what choices to make, but we put out the facts to help students make smart, safe decisions,” Barack said. “Personally, I’m excited to be tackling this topic and to be using a new approach with this campaign.”
SONOR’s campaign will involve members passing out promotional items such as snack foods with messages on them and hanging posters with usage statistics. It will continue until fall break, but, according to Hawkins, SONOR hopes to hold other marijuana campaigns throughout the year.
