Missouri NORML, the organization that helped draft and place the use of medical and recreational cannabis on the ballot is seeking out legislators to sponsor several bills during the 2023 prefiling session. Including, the use of medical marijuana on all Missouri college and university campuses.

Dan Viets, Coordinator for Missouri NORML said students with chronic health issues should not be denied the use of prescribed cannabis while receiving higher education.

“Marijuana for many patients is a substitute for far more dangerous and addictive drugs including opioids drugs. Many studies demonstrate patients reduce or eliminate their use of opioid drugs when they have access to cannabis,” said Dan Viets, Coordinator for Missouri NORML.

Many of the campuses in Mid-Missouri have severe consequences in place for students who are caught with cannabis in dormitories.

They are allowed to go search rooms and with room checks if they find any trace of marijuana, dab pens, or THC they can kick you out of the dorms. I personally don’t mind marijuana on campus,” said Eliana Snyder, a college freshman.

Colleges and universities around Mid-Missouri declined to comment on their policies,

Will Lawrence, an undergraduate student said he doesn’t think medical cannabis use on campus will hinder his education.

“If you’re going to use it medically, you will use it off campus regardless so I can’t imagine doing it on campus would affect too much of our grades,” said Lawrence.

Viets said the group has one republican legislator sponsor or co-sponsors but for now he will continue to advocate the use of cannabis.

“We will continue to activate in the legislator and elsewhere for the interest of cannabis consumers,” said Viets.