Emerson College Looks to Clarify CBD Use Policies on Campus

Emerson student-run newspaper reports the university is to uphold federal policies regarding cannabis on college campus and has a ban in place, but the regulations surrounding hemp-derived cannabidiol oil are unclear.

College administrators want to clarify these policies after the first semester as the substance is paired with the college’s marijuana policies to-date. Desiree Bradford, who is the interim community coordinator and Resident Director, stated that the college is still expanding and completing the overall approach regarding CBD oil supplementation. Erik Muurisepp, Associate Dean of Campus Life, said that he will lead the group of campus administrators and students to decide on these policies.

Nobody knows who will be on the board to make these decisions as this information cannot be disclosed.

“The plan is to bring people from [the Division of] Student Affairs and appropriate areas, and to student government for student representation and conversation to see what we need to do or what we should be doing around CBD,” said Muurisepp.

CBD is a natural compound found in cannabis that is often used for anxiety or other medical ailments.

One student added that they use CBD to avoid the alternative, which are prescription medications. They would rather take CBD to help assist any psychological problems, and even emotional issues. Many students would be upset if there was a policy against CBD. Freshman, Katherine Desmond, says that:

“CBD helps me with my anxiety, and it is a way I can avoid getting actual anti-anxiety medication.” Others use CBD to help with social anxiety. Junior, Stanley Swerdlow, said “I have very bad anxiety and the way I usually cope with my anxiety is by pulling my hair or eating, so those aren’t really healthy ways of doing it. When I use CBD it calms me down, and I don’t feel the need to pull my hair anymore, or at least not as much.”

We will continue to follow up on this story as more information becomes available. For now, it will be interesting to see how schools and universities adjust to the CBD oil legality that is spreading fast all over the country.