Marijuana remains illegal for any resident of any age in Louisiana. That means there are also legal penalties for college students, as well as short- and long-term consequences that will affect their future, post-graduation, for any amount of possession. Despite that, smoking marijuana is even more common than drinking alcohol on some campuses.
Take, for example, a college sophomore at LSU whose fast-track path to a promising future came to a halt after she was arrested for possession of four ounces of marijuana found after a search of her dorm room in 2019. The student was arrested for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school, a drug-free zone, and possession of paraphernalia.
While all charges were dropped, as a past offender, she still faces having her arrest record on job applications and grant applications. Other past offenders like this may also have to struggle with jail time, fines, and a tarnished record that could limit future opportunities after their release.
What Happens Directly After a Marijuana Possession Arrest?
Once one of the strictest states in the country for drug possession penalties, Louisiana reduced these consequences in August 2020 in a movement toward more decriminalization of minimal amounts of possession, but they are still substantial, which include:
- A maximum fine of up to $300 and up to 15 days in jail for possessing 14 grams or less of marijuana, which is a misdemeanor
- A $100,000 fine and a five- to 30-year jail sentence for possession of over 60 pounds of marijuana
- Up to $50,000 in fines and five to 30 years of imprisonment for distribution or non-medical sale of marijuana of any amount
- The marijuana possession charge listed on the offender’s permanent record
Specifically, in the city of New Orleans, City Council voted to decriminalize simple marijuana possession of under 14 grams. Smoking marijuana in public is still illegal. Offenders will receive a ticket for violating the Smoke-Free Air Act.
Violators who are college students also need to consider the negative impact these consequences could have on their college career and beyond, such as their government-funded student aid, which pays for tuition, to be revoked. And, if the student is forced to spend time in jail, that absence from school could land them on academic probation, which could lead to a late graduation.
What are the Long-Term Consequences of Marijuana Possession?
For college students who have a marijuana possession charge on their criminal record, it could affect them long into their future off-campus. Keep in mind that misdemeanor drug convictions stay on a record and are available to the public for three years before they can be expunged. Felony convictions linger on a record for public view for five before they can be expunged.
More long-term impacts, post-college graduation, include lower chances of:
- Getting accepted into graduate school
- Getting approved for a rental contract
- Getting approved for a house, car, or student loan
- Getting hired for a job, when a potential employer runs a background check (particularly in law enforcement, legal positions, medical field, commercial driving, or jobs dealing with children)
- Getting child custody
Non-Legal Consequences of Marijuana Possession for College Students
In the wake of the legal repercussions of marijuana possession charges, college students must also face the consequences that will blow up their personal and professional lives, plus cause mental health issues and added stress from court hearings and legal penalties.
More detailed consequences that stem from marijuana possession include:
School Suspension
Depending on the university, there may be a code of conduct requirements for all students to follow to stay enrolled in school. A student’s possession charges may violate this code, which could result in suspension or expulsion from the school – and this often happens without a tuition refund.
Forfeit of Financial Aid
Student grants, loans, or financial aid may be revoked upon a marijuana possession charge, leaving the student with the possibility of losing out on earning their college degree or losing their scholarship privileges.
Loss of Student Housing
Whether they live on or off campus, students may be evicted from their dorm room by the school or a rental by the landlord if they have a criminal record because of a drug charge. Their criminal record may also affect their credit score and ability to rent an apartment or get approved for a home loan in the future.
A Dead-End Career Path
If a student had career goals of becoming a doctor or going into the medical field, being an attorney, or other professions, this drug conviction could deflate that direction in the future because these careers require a professional license.
How Criminal Records Can Be Expunged
Criminal records in Louisiana can be expunged, which wipes the slate clean for those who have committed a drug crime and means that the general public will no longer be able to review the marijuana charge or arrest.
The judge will consider a few of these factors when deciding whether or not to expunge a criminal record:
- The circumstances involved in the drug possession charge
- How long it has been since the arrest, drug charge, or conviction
- Any dangers there may be to the community if expunged
Marijuana Laws and Arrest Stats: Now and the Future
Marijuana laws in Louisiana are constantly changing, with a movement toward more decriminalization of possession, or the lessening of charges for having a minimal amount of the drug. But, remember, marijuana is still illegal in the state. One misstep could affect someone’s life for a long time after their college years, choking out any potential opportunities for their future.
According to a 2020 report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), more people are arrested for marijuana than any other drug, with nearly 90 percent of those arrests for possession alone. Comparing this statistic to data from 2018, this translates into an estimated 39 out of every 100 drug arrests for possession of marijuana.
