Cannabis Policies and Resources
Adult-use cannabis became legal in Maryland on July 1, 2023. Despite the new state law, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug under federal law. As a result, institutions of higher education receiving federal funds must continue to prohibit the use, possession, and distribution of cannabis on campus and at campus-sponsored events and activities off campus.
The resources on this page are designed to provide information and tools to help schools remain compliant with federal law.
Highlights: Campus Council Quarterly Meeting
A summary of the February campus council quarterly meeting, which included an update of cannabis legislation in the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session and member school experiences implementing evidenced based practices related to gambling among college students.
Highlights: 2025 Legislation Session Updates
Brooke Torton, JD, Mat Swinburne, JD, and Kati Hoke, JD provided updates on tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis bills in the 2025 Maryland General Assembly.
Highlights: Impaired Driving: The Impact of Cannabis
Dr. Jim Lange discussed how alcohol-impaired driving is now compounded by the increased use of cannabis in college-aged youth.
Highlights: Odor Policies Survey and Implementation of New Laws
Presentations included information about problem gambling grants; an overview of Campus Cannabis Odor Policies Part II: How Colleges and Universities across the US address Cannabis Odor; and an update on issues related to implementation of new cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol laws.
Highlights: Progress Toward Implementing Alcohol and Cannabis Strategies
In this Campus Council roundtable discussion, schools shared accomplishments on progress toward implementing alcohol and cannabis strategies.
Highlights: Odor Policies and Cannabis Enforcement Strategies
Representatives from Bowie State University discussed their noxious odor policy and Chief David Mitchell of the University of Maryland College Park talked about cannabis enforcement strategies.
Highlights: Cannabis and Alcohol Policy Updates
Raimee Eck, PhD, MPH, and Mathew Swinburne, JD, provided updates on alcohol and cannabis bills in the 2024 Maryland General Assembly.
Highlights: Parents and Families as Partners in Reducing Substance Use
Malinda Hollis Kennedy shared the latest research on family engagement in higher education. A 2024 book, Engaging Families in Higher Education: Lessons Learned and Best Practices, highlights parents’ changing role.
Highlights: Lessons Learned for Cannabis from Alcohol and Tobacco
David Jernigan, PhD, professor, Dept of Health Law, Policy and Management, Asst Dean for Practice, Boston University of Public Health, co-founder of the Maryland Collaborative, and a national alcohol policy expert, talked about the lessons we can learn for cannabis policy from what we have or have not learned from alcohol and tobacco.
Comic: Cannabis at college? What Maryland students need to know
This comic strip provides information about what Maryland students should know about cannabis at college.
What the Maryland Cannabis Law Means for Colleges
Legalization of cannabis brings unique challenges to academic institutions primarily due to conflicts with federal law. In this guest commentary, Sara Benjamin-Neelon and Ramie Eck counsel students to not get high and faculty to support students.
Campus Council Quarterly Meeting Highlights June 2023
Dr. Jason Kilmer shared his lessons learned from state cannabis legalization for campus policy and enforcement.
Cannabis Policies and Resources
Highlights: Campus Council Quarterly Meeting
A summary of the February campus council quarterly meeting, which included an update of cannabis legislation in the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session and member school experiences implementing evidenced based practices related to gambling among college students.
Highlights: 2025 Legislation Session Updates
Brooke Torton, JD, Mat Swinburne, JD, and Kati Hoke, JD provided updates on tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis bills in the 2025 Maryland General Assembly.
Highlights: Impaired Driving: The Impact of Cannabis
Dr. Jim Lange discussed how alcohol-impaired driving is now compounded by the increased use of cannabis in college-aged youth.
Highlights: Odor Policies Survey and Implementation of New Laws
Presentations included information about problem gambling grants; an overview of Campus Cannabis Odor Policies Part II: How Colleges and Universities across the US address Cannabis Odor; and an update on issues related to implementation of new cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol laws.
Highlights: Progress Toward Implementing Alcohol and Cannabis Strategies
In this Campus Council roundtable discussion, schools shared accomplishments on progress toward implementing alcohol and cannabis strategies.
Highlights: Odor Policies and Cannabis Enforcement Strategies
Representatives from Bowie State University discussed their noxious odor policy and Chief David Mitchell of the University of Maryland College Park talked about cannabis enforcement strategies.
Highlights: Cannabis and Alcohol Policy Updates
Raimee Eck, PhD, MPH, and Mathew Swinburne, JD, provided updates on alcohol and cannabis bills in the 2024 Maryland General Assembly.
Highlights: Parents and Families as Partners in Reducing Substance Use
Malinda Hollis Kennedy shared the latest research on family engagement in higher education. A 2024 book, Engaging Families in Higher Education: Lessons Learned and Best Practices, highlights parents’ changing role.
Highlights: Lessons Learned for Cannabis from Alcohol and Tobacco
David Jernigan, PhD, professor, Dept of Health Law, Policy and Management, Asst Dean for Practice, Boston University of Public Health, co-founder of the Maryland Collaborative, and a national alcohol policy expert, talked about the lessons we can learn for cannabis policy from what we have or have not learned from alcohol and tobacco.
Comic: Cannabis at college? What Maryland students need to know
This comic strip provides information about what Maryland students should know about cannabis at college.
What the Maryland Cannabis Law Means for Colleges
Legalization of cannabis brings unique challenges to academic institutions primarily due to conflicts with federal law. In this guest commentary, Sara Benjamin-Neelon and Ramie Eck counsel students to not get high and faculty to support students.
Campus Council Quarterly Meeting Highlights June 2023
Dr. Jason Kilmer shared his lessons learned from state cannabis legalization for campus policy and enforcement.