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Lethbridge College just says “no” to cannabis consumption on campus

Sep 28, 2018 | 2:11 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Anyone wanting to toke up on campus at Lethbridge College will have to find another place to do it, even when recreational marijuana becomes legal Oct. 17.

It will not be allowed in or around academic buildings, on campus or in residence.

That decision was made by the College’s executive and senior leadership, says Dr. Samantha Lenci, Provost and Vice-President Academic, for several reasons.

“We have early childhood, we have child and youth care here, we have automotives, we have heavy equipment. So, for us, our programming and the health and safety of our students and faculty and staff, that all went to the decision that we’ve announced.”

She says the executive also believes in a healthy campus and they’re in the midst of developing what a healthy campus looks like both physically and psychologically.

The executive she adds, generally consults with students on big decisions, however, because they were clear from the get-go that marijuana consumption was something they weren’t willing to debate, the student body, was not consulted.

“We want to create a campus that allows people to grow and learn. Our programming is very important because it works with vulnerable populations. The University, as an autonomous institution, can make the decisions that’s best for their students and staff and their faculty….so we’ll support their decision. I’m sure they’ll support ours.”

At this point however, there isn’t a policy that has been developed for anyone who contravenes the rules; who is caught smoking or ingesting a cannabis product or who may be intoxicated in the classroom or elsewhere on campus.

“On Oct. 16, our senior leadership team is getting together to review a policy on what that looks like going forward. We’re going to take by case by case right now and make sure that each individual is spoken to, how do we enforce this, what does that look like. That’s something we’re still trying to figure out.”

Currently, smoking and drinking alcohol are allowed in designated areas and in residence.

“As far as alcohol consumption, our Students’ Association has several events during the year where alcohol is consumed. So, they go through a rigorous process of how do we get students home safe, what does that look like?”

Lenci says there are some students who do have medical marijuana licenses for certain conditions, and the college’s health department does or will work with them one on one. 

Across the river, the University of Lethbridge has taken a more lenient approach and will allow restricted use of recreational cannabis on its campus.