View Bill 13-14-13

Senate Bill 13-14-13

Bill ID: 13-14-13
Name: Proposal to Streamline the University's Marijuana Policy with State Policy
Proposed: 10/28/2013
Sponsor: Mikayla Hellwich
Proposal: Currently, the University punishes those caught with marijuana by removing them from campus and imposing long-term drug testing. Although marijuana remains illegal both federally and at the state level, Maryland has an affirmative defense law. This law pertains to patients that receive a doctor's recommendation and states that cannabis consumption is the desired method of alleviating their particular ailment(s). This doctor's note can be used in a court of law to prevent criminal charges upon a person who may be detained on cannabis-related charges.

This proposal aims to streamline campus policy with laws already in place. This would mean that if a student could present a verifiable doctor's note upon questioning by an RA, a police officer on campus, or any other official, that this student could not be punished by University of Maryland sanctions. They would not be removed from the University, they would be allowed to keep campus housing, and they would not be subjected to drug testing. This proposal aims to protect the safety, health, dignity, education, and criminal records of patients that have already been deemed legally protected by the state.
Active?No
Policy: http://president.umd.edu/policies/v100b.html

Status

Status: Completed
Completed On: 02/11/2015

History

Reviewed By: Senate
Received: 02/04/2015
Decision Date: 02/11/2015
Decision: The report was presented to the Senate as an informational item.
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Reviewed By: Senate Executive Committee (SEC)
Received: 01/14/2015
Decision Date: 01/21/2015
Decision: The SEC voted to send the report to the February 11, 2015 Senate meeting as an informational item.
Next Step: Senate


Reviewed By: Campus Affairs Committee
Received: 11/17/2014
Decision Date: 12/03/2014
Decision: The Campus Affairs Committee voted to send a final report to the SEC.
Actions: The Campus Affairs Committee continued its deliberation on its charge during the fall 2014 semester. The committee reached out to the Office of Student Conduct, the Health Center, University Human Resources, and the Office of Legal Affairs for information related to marijuana. The committee also updated its peer institution information.

In December 2014, the Campus Affairs Committee voted to send a final report forward to the SEC for review.
Next Step: SEC Review


Reviewed By: Senate Executive Committee (SEC)
Received: 11/10/2014
Decision Date: 11/17/2014
Decision: The SEC reviewed the interim report submitted by the Campus Affairs Committee.
Next Step: Campus Affairs Committee (CAC) Review


Reviewed By: Campus Affairs Committee
Received: 01/22/2014
Decision Date: 11/10/2014
Decision: The CAC sent an interim report to the SEC as requested in the charge.
Actions: The Campus Affairs Committee received its charge in February 2014. At its meeting on March 4, 2014, the committee began reviewing the charge and discussing the issues involved. On March 24, 2014, the committee reviewed peer institution information and discussed recent developments in Maryland state law related to medical marijuana and marijuana decriminalization. On April 15, 2014, the committee considered the differences between state and federal law on medical marijuana, and generated questions for future discussions with the Office of Student Conduct, the Health Center, University Human Resources, and other University offices.
Next Step: SEC Review
Related Files:


Reviewed By: Senate Executive Committee (SEC)
Received: 11/18/2013
Decision Date: 11/25/2013
Decision: The SEC voted to charge the Campus Affairs Committee with reviewing this proposal.
Actions: The SEC voted to charge the Campus Affairs Committee to review this proposal.
Next Step: Campus Affairs Committee Review
Related Files: