Arizona Governor Signs Law Banning Medical Marijuana at State Colleges

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law this week a bill that bans medical marijuana on state university and community college campuses.

According to Reuters, the law is the latest move in a drive to roll back the legal use of medical marijuana. Voters in Arizona passed a medical marijuana law in 2010.

Proponents of the new law banning medical marijuana on campuses say it aims to protect federal funding for colleges. “Marijuana use or possession of any kind, whether illegal or approved by voters for medical uses, does not belong on our school grounds,” Representative Amanda Reeve, who sponsored the legislation, said in a statement. “With the health and safety of Arizona’s students, as well as literally hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, this legislation is critically necessary.”

The law is due to take effect this summer. It is expected to face a legal challenge by supporters of medical marijuana, the article notes.

Medical marijuana is legal in 16 states and the District of Columbia, but the drug remains illegal under federal law.