Students are expected to conform to the Federal and Maryland state laws regarding the possession of drugs and paraphernalia and the Student Code of Conduct which outlines expected standards for behavior, rights and responsibilities, student conduct policies, procedures for conduct violations, and sanctions. Included therein, and as required under Federal law (the Controlled Substances Act), marijuana possession and use on campus (even if otherwise authorized by a medical marijuana license or recreational marijuana use under Maryland law) is prohibited on campus or at any place or activity affiliated with the College. Please refer to the College’s Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan policy where certain violations may be granted amnesty. The College must comply with Federal law, which prohibits the possession, use and distribution of illicit and illegal drugs, including medical and recreational marijuana, products containing THC and paraphernalia.
Specific to illicit drugs, including marijuana and THC products, the following misconduct is subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including expulsion and referral for prosecution, as provided for in this Code:
“Use, possession, or distribution of narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances, and related paraphernalia on College premises, except as expressly permitted by law and College regulations.”
At the time of acceptance to the College, all new students are required to sign and return a statement acknowledging receipt of the College’s policies and regulations concerning substance abuse.
Any student convicted of violating a criminal drug statute must notify the director of financial aid if that student is receiving any form of federal financial aid (for example, Pell Grants or Federally funded loans). Conviction on any drug-related charge may result in forfeiture of federal financial aid, during the time of incarceration. Students who violate the standards of conduct shall be subject to written or verbal warning, restitution, restriction, forced relocation, work sanctions, counseling, disciplinary probation, disciplinary suspension, and/or dismissal from the College as stated in the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities which is distributed annually to all students. The College will take disciplinary action based on reasonable available information unless the student voluntarily seeks assistance. Such action will be independent of any civil or criminal process precipitated by the same incident.
For a list of controlled dangerous substances and their corresponding schedule, see Md. Criminal Law Code Ann. §§5-401- 406.
A summary of federal trafficking (distribution) penalties for substances covered by the Controlled Substances Act can be found on the Drug Enforcement Administration website at https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ftp3.shtml.
Students who are concerned about their use of alcohol or other drugs may speak with a counselor at the Wellness Center for an assessment. Counseling and Psychological Services at the Wellness Center are confidential and the staff therapist will recommend options for risk reduction, treatment and recovery. Students can find information on the health risks of illicit drugs at http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/finder/t/160/DrugFacts.
In accordance with the Heroin and Opioid Education and Community Action Act of 2017, all incoming students will be required to participate in heroin and opioid addiction and awareness training.
In addition, the College will obtain and store a supply of overdose reversing medication to be used in an emergency situation. Public Safety and Wellness Center personnel, as well as designated administrators, will be trained to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose, in procedures for administration of overdose reversing medications, and in the proper follow-up emergency procedures related to an opioid overdose. Per state law, except for any willful or grossly negligent act, campus police, or other designated personnel who have been trained in use of overdose medications and who respond in good faith to the overdose emergency of a student, may not be personally liable for any act or omission in the course of responding to the emergency.
The College will develop and implement a method for notifying parents/guardians of students of this policy at the beginning of each academic year.