The Federal government categorizes Marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug. A first-time offender in South Carolina could find themselves behind bars for 30 days and fined $200. If you are a college student who has been charged with possession or sales of marijuana, your academic future could be at stake.
Besides being fined and possibly incarcerated, you may be facing the loss of your scholarship. Colleges that receive federal funding are not willing to risk that funding by relaxing the rules in regard to marijuana. Even if you weren’t charged by the police, the college may still penalize you.
A medical marijuana card won’t protect you
Even with a valid prescription for medical marijuana, you could face serious consequences on campus. In addition to the impairment that it causes the individual who is using it, there’s another potential issue. Using marijuana in a dormitory setting can lead to other students getting a contact high when the smoke travels through the air vents.
You may also lose Federal aid
The Federal government’s position regarding marijuana on campus is very clear:
- Any current college student who is convicted of drug possession or sales on campus risks losing all financial aid.
- Students who are applying to college after having been convicted of a drug offense will have to fill out an eligibility worksheet.
This will be used to determine whether or not they will receive financial aid.
Don’t expect colleges to change their stance anytime soon
Colleges establish their own rules. When it comes to marijuana, their codes of conduct simply do not permit the use of it on campus. The bottom line is that one mistake could seriously affect your future. If you are facing drug charges, you’ll need an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side.
