By Teena Monteleone

U of S and Sask Polytech plan to ban legal cannabis on campus

Aug 22, 2018 | 10:00 AM

Both the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic are drafting policies regarding the use of recreational marijuana on campus. 

Patti McDougall, vice provost of teaching, learning and student experience at the U of S, said the university has spent the last six months working on a policy that will cover alcohol, smoking and substances. The policy will apply to staff, students and visitors to campus.

“Its based on four principles,” McDougall said. “To create an environment that promotes health and well-being, provide education related to the use of alcohol, smoking and substance use, aim to minimize risk to others and ensure any policies comply with applicable legislation and regulations.”

Saskatchewan’s Cannabis Framework prohibits consuming cannabis in public places.

“That is really prescriptive for us about what we can and can’t do,” McDougall said. “Our campus is considered a public space.”

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She added students will also not be permitted to grow or consume cannabis within their dorms on campus.

“We’re hoping to be in a position to take something to our board this fall because the policy document will be overseen by our board of governors who meet in October and December,” she said.

McDougall said the policy drafting team will include student leaders as part of the consultation process.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is also hoping to have their policy on cannabis consumption in place prior to the legalization of the drug on Oct. 17.

“Our revamped smoking policy is that smoking or any other form of cannabis consumption would be strictly prohibited on Saskatchewan Polytechnic property,” said Dr. Anne Neufeld, provost and academic vice president of the school.

Like the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Polytechnic will make exceptions for those who require medicinal cannabis on a case-by-case basis.

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone