A reminder regarding the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

In November 2023, Ohio voters passed Issue 2, which legalized the possession and use of cannabis for people aged 21 and older in Ohio. The state of Ohio had previously legalized medical cannabis in 2016.

While both medical and recreational cannabis are legalized under Ohio law, they remain illegal under federal law. Further, the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act requires Ohio University to establish and maintain policies that address unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol, illicit drugs and controlled substances as part of its responsibility to maintain a drug-free community.

Under federal law, cannabis is still considered a controlled substance; therefore, the use or storage of medical and/or recreational cannabis by students, faculty, staff and visitors remains prohibited:

• On all property or buildings, including residence halls, owned, leased, operated, controlled or managed by Ohio University, including all regional and extension campuses, regardless of their location.
• During all University-sponsored activities and programs, both on-campus and off-campus, under any circumstances.

For Students: Reports of suspected possession or use of cannabis by students on campus, or at University-sponsored activities, will be referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility for follow-up per the procedures outlined in OHIO’s Student Code of Conduct.

For Employees: Reports of suspected possession or use of cannabis by employees on campus, or at University-sponsored activities, will be handled in accordance with the established University procedures outlined in ⁠Policy 41.133.

A list of frequently asked questions related to Issue 2’s impact on all public institutions across the state, including OHIO, is available online.