420 and you: guidelines within the NWAC

April 20 is just around the corner, and for the first time, recreational marijuana will be used legally in Oregon on this “smokers’ holiday.” But how does this affect you, the student? Or even more specifically, what exactly is the policy for student athletes who are of legal age to use?

Keep in mind, marijuana is only legal for persons age 21 and up, and a maximum of 7 grams is all the state allows for possession. The Northwestern Athletic Conference, however, isn’t obligated to comply to this recent law (nor that in Washington state) as it affects sanctioned activities, and can enforce measurements as it sees fit.

The codebook is posted on the league’s website, nwacsports.org, and states on Page 18 under Section 3.G, “All student-athletes must be made aware of institutional and athletic department codes of conduct.”

Jim Jackson, NWAC compliance manager, said, “This would generally include the use of marijuana on campus and at campus functions.” With the new law in place, there is still some gray area in the codebook, only because it does not specifically say, “our student athletes are not allowed to use marijuana,” but, instead, leaves it up to interpretation.

Don’t use on school grounds or show up to a game high? Got it. But what about at home, when the student athlete is on his or her own time and away from anything school-related? It appears the conference won’t impose its will, and although it governs the school participants, it is still up to the individual institution’s discretion when it comes to breaking policy.

From there, Mt. Hood’s own Student Code of Conduct states in the General Provisions in Article III, “Any behavior which may have been influenced by a student’s mental state (regardless of the ultimate evaluation) or use of drugs or alcoholic beverages will not in any way limit the responsibility of the student for the consequences of his or her actions.” It goes on to state that any illicit use of alcohol or drugs on college property or during a school-sponsored activity, whether or not it is on campus, is strictly forbidden.

Jackson, who operates out of Clark College in Vancouver, Wash., attempted to make the issue black-and-white: “We have spelled out the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs with regards to disqualification from participation,” as it pertains to disobeying the rules, he said.

“Obviously, we can’t drug test all of our student-athletes, as they do in the NCAA,” Jackson added.

So – users age 21 or above – operate within the guidelines of the law, but don’t bring or use on campus or during a sanctioned event, lest you face the wrath of the codebook.