National Marijuana Day, which is celebrated annually on April 20, has arrived and with weed being legal in California, there are marijuana dispensaries all over Los Angeles and cannabis-related advertisements on billboards, on almost every corner. Cal State LA students, however, have to take their celebration somewhere off campus.
Cal State LA has been a smoke and tobacco free campus since Sep. 1, 2017. Earlier that same year, the CSU system decided to make all of their campuses smoke free.
While marijuana is recreationally and medically legal in California, it is still federally illegal and considered a Schedule I substance, according to the Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Cal State LA follows federal laws relating to cannabis use, according to the Student Health Center webpage. Students have expressed frustration because of the ban on smoking and the lack of any designated smoke spots on campus.
“I feel like it’s understandable being a college campus but it’s also kind of inconvenient because I am of age to smoke,” Brett Anderson said. “I have to go walk down the street from my apartment. That kind of sucks.”
Anderson said he has been smoking marijuana for years. He enjoys the feeling of being high and uses the drug as a “stress reliever.” Anderson’s roommate, Chris Mapps, shared a similar sentiment to Anderson.
“I got to go all the way down to 7-11,” said Mapps in reference to having to get snacks to smoke. “Now I’m spending money on 7-11, not on campus cause if I smoked on campus then I’d be willing to pay the high [village] market prices.”
Mapps said he has been smoking weed for a few years and uses it to treat his anxiety.
Cal State LA’s policy lists a few reasons why cannabis may not be the best for people. Some physical risks include lung damage, impaired coordination and increased appetite. Some psychological risks include anxiety, impaired memory and judgment and paranoia.
Mapps expressed discontent at the way weed is criticized.
“It angers me. It’s like, why are you demonizing a plant that was grown from the Earth naturally and usually isn’t used too much to a debilitating amount,” Mapps said.
The University Times reached out to public affairs but were referred to the counseling and psychological services department (CAPS).
CAPS Director Osmara Reyes-Osorio recommended some alternatives for students who aren’t able to smoke on campus.
“Students can go to the Student Health Center and consult with the doctor to discuss alternative treatments for smoking cessation,” Reyes-Osorio said. “They can attend therapy at CAPS and ask specifically to work with someone that specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness to address smoking cessation as well.”
Reyes-Osorio also recommended exercise as it can help reduce the craving to smoke while going through withdrawal.
