Issue 2

On November 7, 2023, Ohio voters passed Issue 2, which legalized the possession and recreational use of limited amounts of marijuana in non-public places for individuals 21 years and older.  Despite the passage of Issue 2, since UC is a recipient of federal funds, all UC students, staff, and faculty are required to follow the federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, Drug-Free Workplace Act, and Fair Housing Act which prohibit the possession, use, and distribution of marijuana on UC’s campuses and properties. 

This means medical and recreational possession, use, and distribution of marijuana as well as manufacturing, buying, selling, or offering it for sale are all still prohibited on (1) all UC campuses, (2) all UC owned or leased properties, and (3) at all on-campus and off-campus UC-sponsored activities and programs. Students found to be in possession of, using, distributing, manufacturing, buying, selling, or offering marijuana for sale will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for review under the Student Code of Conduct. UC faculty and staff found to be in possession of, using, distributing, manufacturing, buying, selling, offering for sale, or under the influence of marijuana at work are subject to UC’s policies including the Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Testing and Conduct policies.

Please know that any member of the UC community that violates UC’s policies regarding the possession, use, manufacturing, buying, selling, offers for sale, or distribution of marijuana may be subject to disciplinary action. 

FAQs

No. Possessing, using, manufacturing, distributing, buying, selling, or offering for sale any marijuana, including edibles and extracts, by UC students, staff, or faculty on UC’s campuses, at UC owned or leased properties or at any on-campus or off-campus UC-sponsored activities and programs violates UC policies.  Issue 2, which was passed by Ohio voters on November 7, 2023, legalized the possession and recreational use of limited amounts of marijuana in non-public places for individuals 21 years and older.  However, despite the passage of Issue 2, since UC is a recipient of federal funds, all UC students, staff, and faculty are required to follow the federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, Drug-Free Workplace Act, and Fair Housing Act which prohibit the possession, use, and distribution of marijuana on UC’s campuses and properties and at all on-campus and off-campus UC-sponsored activities and programs. 

No, students in privately-owned housing leased through UC are subject to UC’s policies. 

No. Possessing, using, distributing, manufacturing, buying, selling, or offering for sale any marijuana, including edibles and extracts and marijuana for medicinal use, on UC’s campuses and properties or at any on-campus or off-campus UC-sponsored activities and programs is prohibited by federal law and violates UC’s policies.

 

Students found to have violated UC’s policies will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for review under the Student Code of Conduct.

Employees found to have violated UC’s policies will be subject to UC’s Conduct policy (15.02) and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement provisions and may be subject to discipline. 

Refer to UC’s Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy (15.06) and consult the Office of Human Resources prior to taking action.