According to City of Columbia regulations, any person who possesses an open container of alcohol on any street, sidewalk or parking facility could be charged with a misdemeanor.

Any person under the age of 21 who purchases, asks for or in any way receives intoxicating liquor can be charged with a misdemeanor.

Students who are of legal age (at least 21 years old) may have alcohol within the confines of their apartment, as long as their behavior is not affecting neighboring residents.

The consumption, manufacture, use, possession, sale or distribution of any controlled substance in or on the premises of any Housing-owned or -operated facility or dining location is prohibited without proper prescription, required license or as expressly permitted by law or University regulations.

Following the passage of a constitutional amendment, the use of recreational marijuana for those 21 and older became legal under certain conditions in the state of Missouri in 2022. However, possession and use of marijuana remains subject to many limitations under both the constitutional amendment and under federal law. The University of Missouri System continues to be bound by the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act, which requires the UM System to have policies in place that discipline employees, students and residents for possessing or using illegal drugs on university property, university-leased property or as part of university-sponsored or university-supervised activities.

Because the federal government continues to classify marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, it remains illegal for any employee, student, resident or visitor to possess, use, distribute, dispense, sell or manufacture marijuana on any university-owned or -controlled property. This includes our four university campuses, extension offices and research farms.

The prohibition applies to both recreational and medical use. So, even though you might have a medical marijuana identification card, you may still not use or possess marijuana on university property or university-leased property or as part of any university-sponsored or university-supervised activity.

Students, residents and employees should also be aware that Amendment 3 does not legalize public consumption of marijuana; consumption of marijuana in public areas adjacent to a campus will not be permitted. In addition, operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana remains unlawful, and students, residents and employees who operate a vehicle under the influence of marijuana on streets or roadways abutting a campus may also be subject to discipline in accordance with university policy.

Currently, UM System policy HR-508 (Drug/Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace) states that violation of the policy could result in discipline up to and including termination from the university. UM System Collected Rules and Regulations policy 200.010 (Standard of Conduct) states that students could face disciplinary hearings and face discipline up to and including expulsion.

Residents and visitors to any UM System campus are also subject to this restriction. This includes non-student residents of Graduate and Family Housing and visitors to Graduate and Family Housing, athletic events, concerts and any other event or meeting held on campus.

As a recipient of federal funding, the University is subject to compliance with federal laws, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act. The consumption, manufacture, use, possession, sale or distribution of any controlled substance, including marijuana, in or on the premises of any Housing-owned or -operated facility or dining location is prohibited.

Possession of drug paraphernalia is not permitted.

A staff member’s confirmation of the aroma of marijuana will be considered evidence in conduct cases involving the alleged violation of this policy.

Smoking is not permitted on any University-owned or -operated property. Use of products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes/vape pens, hookahs, pipes and water pipes are prohibited.

Safe storage of such products is permitted, provided the product is not used on University-owned or -operated property.

In recognition of the health and safety benefits of tobacco-free air and the responsibility to provide and maintain and optimally healthy and safe working and living environment for faculty, students, staff and visitors, the University of Missouri is smoke- and tobacco-free.

For more information on MU’s tobacco policy, assistance with education and for resources, visit tobaccofree.missouri.edu.