THUNDER BAY - Students at Lakehead University will not be lighting up any cannabis products next week when recreational pot becomes legal across Canada, but those living in residence will be permitted to take a bite.
Lakehead University released its recreational cannabis use policy to students and staff on Friday.
According to the policy, “recreational use or consumption of cannabis is not permitted anywhere on Lakehead University property including in public spaces or workplaces (including designated smoking areas) except as otherwise specifically set out herein.”
Public spaces include residence common areas on campus and consumption refers to ingesting cannabis either by smoking or through edibles. However, students living on campus will be permitted to consume cannabis products through non-smoking or non-vaping methods inside their own residence room if they are of legal age to do so, which is similar to the university's alcohol policy.
“The University may establish rules governing recreational use and consumption of cannabis in University residence rooms,” the policy states. “All individuals must adhere to any such rules and are responsible to familiarize themselves with such rules.”
Growing of cannabis is not permitted anywhere on Lakehead University property.
The policy states that the rules only apply to recreational use of cannabis and does not include authorized medical use or use for authorized research purposes.
Students who fail to abide by the rules could face disciplinary action under the Code of Student Behaviour and Disciplinary Procedures and staff under the Employee Code of Conduct.
The policy will be reviewed after one year and every three years after through consultations with students, staff, and faculty.
According to MacLean’s annual student survey, 46 per cent of students surveyed in 2018 at Lakehead admitted to cannabis use, which was the ninth highest overall usage among Canadian universities. Only five per cent said they used cannabis on a daily basis, while 17 per cent said it was less than once a year. In 2017, the overall usage at Lakehead was 39 per cent.
Recreational use of cannabis will become legal across Canada on Oct. 17. Last month, Confederation College revealed its plans for a cannabis policy, which also prohibits use on campus property. How edible products are treated was still under review by the committee in September.
