NYS Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Campus Updates

By Colleen Barnes, April 1, 2021

Posted on behalf of Katie Newcomb, Assistant Director, Student Conduct and Community Standards

Yesterday morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into effect the legalization of recreational marijuana (cannabis). Please know that this does not change our Ithaca College policy, and per federal law, students are not permitted to be in possession of, or use marijuana while on campus or in the residence halls. This applies even if a student has a NYS medical marijuana registry ID card. 

Marijuana is still an illegal substance per the federal government.  Federal law prohibits all use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana at U.S. educational institutions. Federal law also requires any institution of higher education which receives federal funding to have policies in place which prohibit possession and use of marijuana on campus.  We are an institution that receives federal funding and therefore these restrictions apply to us.  Additionally, recreational marijuana is only legal for individuals 21 and over, therefore students under the age of twenty-one are still restricted from possessing or using marijuana.

Students who have concerns about their marijuana use can access the confidential BASICS Program by sending an email to basics@ithaca.edu.

For more updates related to policies both on and off-campus follow the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards on Instagram @ic_studentconduct. Please e-mail the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards at conduct@ithaca.edu if you have any questions!