Can pot help with studying, and is it okay to smoke joints or take a few bong hits on campus grounds? How will it affect your social life and grades? And what can happen if you get caught with weed on campus?
While getting high in college can take you on a magical ride, remember that weed is still a powerful drug. You will have to get familiar with some of its effects and consequences before using it. Here’s what you should know about smoking weed in college!
Experimenting In College
For many young adults, college is the best time to let loose, party, and have sex. And on top of all that, smoking weed in college is a major pastime activity for many students across the U.S.
In fact, statistics from 2019 show that 30% of students have tried marijuana once or twice in a span of three months. The same study revealed that nearly 11% of college students are heavy pot smokers who use cannabis daily.
Back in 2018, another study found a major increase in weed use among college students aged 18–25. Also, nearly 40% of full-time students have tried weed in a 12-month period. The study saw a 10% increase compared to statistics from 2016 and 2017. Interestingly enough, researchers are speculating that this rise in marijuana use has directly caused a drop in binge drinking among college students.
In college, it is very easy to find or purchase marijuana. Currently, recreational use of pot is legal in 11 states, and another 16 have decriminalized the drug. What’s more, the drug is no longer a taboo like it used to be. It is generally okay to try it once in a while during your college years. But, you should be aware of some safety precautions if you are planning on smoking pot in college regularly.
Smoking Pot and Peer Pressure
Many young adults use weed to stimulate their minds and even escape from social pressures. It can relieve anxiety and help elevate one’s mood. Moreover, pot is widely available and it’s cheap.
Yet, lots of students can succumb to the hype and peer pressure, even if they don’t want to try it. The drug has become completely normalized and even glorified in social groups. That can be a big influence on an individual’s marijuana use. Also, portrayals of pot in pop culture and on social media have contributed to its normalization and popularity.
The key takeaway here is that you could start believing that weed is completely harmless due to peer pressure. However, it may be better to research its effects before succumbing to social pressure. If your roommate smokes pot and you are not up for it, you can always refuse. In the worst-case scenario, you could ask to switch rooms and stay with someone who doesn’t smoke. And if you still wish to blaze up with a fat blunt, you’ll have to consider some safety precautions. If you don’t follow your school’s policies and state laws, you could seriously endanger your college life and future.
Know the School Policies and Relevant Laws in Your State About Marijuana Use
As mentioned, weed is legal in some states. But, you will need to get familiar with your state’s laws before trying it on campus. Try to learn the rules regarding its legality and the minimum age limit required for use.
In states where pot is legal, you will have to be over 21 to smoke it without any issues with the law. Also, note that buying weed from unlicensed sources is still illegal. Hence, you could get in trouble if you buy it from another student.
And besides state laws, students will need to pay strict attention to school policies on weed use.
Even in most states where pot is legal, like Colorado and California, colleges have banned it from their campuses. In fact, the restrictions are incredibly strict across the board. For most institutions, getting busted on campus or in university buildings could result in severe consequences. It’s possible to get arrested, fined, or even get a suspension or expulsion. Additionally, the same rule applies to paraphernalia. You’d be making a big risk if you store a bong, pipe, and other items in your dorm.
So, why are all those rules in place if marijuana is legalized? Well, federal funding of colleges is the main reason. If colleges were to allow pot use on their grounds, it’s possible that the government would cut its financial support to that institution. The only way to truly dodge those consequences is to try weed off-campus and on private property.
You Can Use Pot but Maintain Your Focus on Your Studies
Marijuana can improve your mood, soothe your boredom, and relieve any frustration and tension. It can also allow you to gain deeper insights and escape some of your problems. What’s more, there’s a chance that students who smoke weed could get better grades.
Many strains can have a positive effect on focus and concentration. However, pot may help you get good grades, but only if you use it in moderation.
If you’re a chronic pothead, cracking the books while high may not be a good idea. It can impair your memory and cognitive functions. However, mild use has shown that students can use it while studying to get tuned in to what they’re doing and actually solve problems in more detail. Weed can also boost your creative abilities, which is great if you are studying arts, film, or similar.
Still, its effects will not be the same for all marijuana users. It could affect students’ short term memory and make studying ineffective. Smoking joints or doing bong hits can also negatively impact your motivation and focus, and it can even lead to paranoia. Of course, weed can lead to more dangerous drugs.
Key Takeaways
If you want to try weed in your college years, it’s best to enjoy it in moderation if its effects are pleasant to you. Consuming it occasionally will not leave a drastic impact on you.
However, don’t overdo it and try not to get hooked. Plus, don’t risk it by smoking on campus grounds since it could have serious consequences. Remember that you will need to take responsibility for your actions during your time in college. Also, if someone is pressuring you to try it, you shouldn’t hesitate to refuse if you are not into it.
Now that you know everything about using marijuana in college, you can proceed to have fun responsibly. Have a great time in college!