We never thought we would tire of writing about Proposition 203 and medical marijuana, but alas, the leafy green substance that is feared by some, revered by others and narrowly agreed to have medical qualities by Arizona voters finds itself stealing headlines once again.
Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill Tuesday that bans the use or possession of medical marijuana on the campuses of all three public universities. The ban extends to community colleges and childcare facilities statewide.
In previous editorial columns, we’ve discussed the difference between recreational usage and medical usage of marijuana. We’ve examined the boundaries between University policy and state law, and we’ve added fuel to the fire of discussion that is at the center of this debate. The people voted for medical marijuana, so why is it all taking so long? Where are the dispensaries, the cardholders and caregivers?
We’re viewing this bill through a similar lens as Prop 102, the Marriage Protection Amendment, which defines marriage in the Arizona Constitution as being between one man and one woman. It’s like the state is doing some preventive maintenance. Prop 102 was introduced in 2008 when the battle for same sex marriage nationwide really began to take shape. It almost seems as if Prop 102 was passed in anticipation of the impending influx of Arizonans looking to marry among their own sex.
This is kind of the same thing. It seems the legislature has foreseen a time in the near future where, when all of the pieces of the medical marijuana system finally fit together, cardholders will be commonplace.
But how many times have you forgotten a bottle of Tylenol or allergy medicine in your purse? Under this legislation, forgetting your medical marijuana in your purse while on campus could land you with a possession charge.
The Associated Press reported, “Republican Rep. Amanda Reeve of Phoenix says her bill protects federal funding for Arizona's state universities because campuses must be drug free to be eligible for student financial aid and other federal funding.”
But as we’ve reported in the past, the University is “drug free” and has a system in place for penalizing cardholders who bring medical marijuana on campus.
So is the extra precaution necessary?
Marijuana on university and community college campuses has been an issue since the substance became popular with college students.
In a legislature where more than 750 bills were proposed in the first week of this session, residents must weigh whether stepping in to solve an issue before it arises is superfluous or prudent.
Banning medical marijuana at daycares? Probably a good idea. On college campuses and community colleges where a system for policing and punishment is already in place? Maybe not.
