MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROHIBITED ON CAMPUS

Though medical marijuana is now legal in Rhode Island, administrators
maintain that under both state and federal law, the University cannot
allow smoking of marijuana on school grounds.

Medical marijuana was legalized in Rhode Island June 16, 2009 after
state legislators voted to override a veto by then-Gov. Donald
Carcieri '65. Three new dispensaries for medical marijuana will open
in Rhode Island this summer.

Despite the state's legalization of medical marijuana and imminent
opening of dispensaries, the University released a statement saying it
would not permit smoking on campus because Rhode Island and federal
law "prohibit smoking marijuana on any school grounds, including
college campuses."

According to the statement, "Any breach of the federal law would put
Brown's eligibility for federal funding at risk. A student with an
illness serious enough to warrant a doctor's prescription for medical
marijuana would need to consult with Brown's Health Services to
identify options to meet their needs in compliance with the law."

Mark Porter, chief of police and director of public safety, did not
respond to requests for comment.

The University's policy is in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools
and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, which does not allow students
to "manufacture, distribute, dispense or possess with the intent to
manufacture, distribute or dispense" any illicit drug, according to
the Office of Student Life website.

If an officer catches a student violating the rules regarding drug use
- -- even if the student is in possession of medical marijuana with a
valid license -- the student may be suspended, dismissed or expelled
from the University in accordance with the non-academic disciplinary
code.

Students caught with marijuana by off-campus law enforcement officers
may be subject to more stringent legal sanctions like imprisonment and
hefty fines.