POT POLICIES

How will Nova Scotia universities adapt when marijuana laws change this year?

With marijuana laws due to change in Canada this year, institutions of higher learning are looking at how they will adapt.

While puffing a joint will be legal, universities already have non-smoking and tobacco policies that will cover that issue.

Acadia University spokesman Scott Roberts said the existing no-smoking rules for campus and residences will also apply to cannabis, and growing plants will also not be approved.

“We don’t allow the production of alcohol either,” he said. “People can’t make their beer or wine, so there’s no reason for us to allow people to grow plants either.”

Dalhousie spokeswoman Janet Bryson said in an email that nothing has been finalized there.

“It’s too early for the university to comment on a detailed approach on campus around the legalization of marijuana,” she wrote. “Certainly, our decisions will be based on federal and provincial laws and would take into account any policies on campus that would have an impact, such as our no smoking policy.”

A statement from Saint Mary’s University had a similar message.

“Saint Mary’s University is in the process of reviewing current policies and practices, to determine the most appropriate response to the upcoming legalization of cannabis,” the university said. “All decisions related to the legal use of cannabis on campus will be determined when our review is completed.”

Acadia Students’ Union president Grace Hamilton-burge said her concerns aren’t so much about the university policies, but on access and abuse.

“We’ve been working with the university pretty closely on the cannabis legislation,” she said. “The regulations on campus really come down to the university and what they’re comfortable with, and I think a lot of universities are trying to follow the same path.”

She said giving students the opportunity to partake in something that will be legal, but maintaining the smoke-free campus “is a tricky balance. It will be interesting to see how universities across the province do it. I think we’re waiting for the last bit of roll-out to see how we’re going to operate.”

She said she is concerned that the closest outlet where students can go to legally purchase marijuana will be Lower Sackville, a 45- minute, 75- kilometre drive away.

“Will this perpetuate the black market if there is no outlet nearby?” she said. “I know that there are online sales, but how are we making sure that students are staying safe and not buying from the black market. ... My concern is more around if students choose to smoke or use cannabis, that they’re able to access it safely and are educated on its use.”