Starting this year, Gustavus enforced a new policy that prohibits students from having possession of Cannabidiol (CBD) on campus. This came as a shock to many students, as it has been praised in the news and has been proven to be safe unlike other alternative products like vaping. In our policy, CBD is defined as equal to possessing and using marijuana.

“This policy has been created because Gustavus receives federal funding, and CBD products fall along the lines with THC which isn’t legalized nationwide, so we have to follow those laws. We would lose a lot of money if we didn’t ban them,” Area Coordinator for Norelius Hall, Nicky Domenichini said.

CBD is a popular natural remedy used for many common ailments.

It’s gaining momentum in the health and wellness world with scientific studies confirming it may ease symptoms of ailments like anxiety, neurological disorders, and pain.

A new CBD store in Mankato called HempDropz recently opened and provided me with a lot of information. While using CBD currently violates Gustavus policy, there are many benefits as to why it should be allowed.

While saving money and being cautious is always a good thing, CBD could be a game changer for the college student population specifically. It has been shown that CBD reduces anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

Jake Schrom, owner of Mankato’s HempDropz explained that he suffered from anxiety and stress, but didn’t like how medications made him felt, so he started using CBD and it changed his life.

The nature of college life is anxiety-inducing between exams, papers, projects, studying, and the day-to-day task of taking care of ourselves.

Anxiety and depression plagues more students than we probably know, which in turn interferes with academic performance, sleep, and mood. It is a nasty cycle that could be eased within seconds if CBD were permitted. Often times, students turn to more harmful methods to ease pain, both physical or emotional, and it puts students at even more risk than the potential risk CBD poses.

“I don’t think it should be banned because this product does help with anxiety, digestion, depression, and more. To take away a product like that, while it may not be regulated, is a loss for students who need it, especially without having the input of the student body first before banning it,” Junior Katie Rhoten said.

Gustavus is so great at taking care of us in a lot of ways, and bringing back CBD may be worth the risk of the worries the college has regarding the issue in order to keep Gusties at their best.

Another benefit of CBD is that it helps those with epilepsy and other neurological disorders by interacting with neurotransmitters and ultimately all organs in the body.

“The endocannabinoid is a complex system of cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body, but mainly in the immune and nervous systems. CBD works extremely efficiently with the ECS to help maintain that homeostasis and balance across the different systems of our body. CBD helps the body heal and balance itself,” a HempDropz employee said.

Myself being someone with a Functional Neurological Disorder that presents itself as non-epileptic seizures due to miscommunication between my nervous system and brain, it is frustrating knowing that something that could help reduce my episodes that I have nightly is not allowed here on campus.

As it has been seen in the news, medical marijuana has shown to help neurological disorders.

“The medicinal benefits of taking CBD are nearly identical to those of medical marijuana, with the added benefit of not having to be high every time you take your medicine,”a HempDropz employee said.

In addition, medications to help epilepsy and neurological disorders, like strong anticonvulsants, have harmful side effects that disrupt everyday lives and have the chance of addiction.

Some neurological disorders, mine included, have no specific medications to ease symptoms, but CBD has shown to be able to do this. CBD is all natural with no side effects at all and is non-addictive. When looking at the facts and benefits, it seems silly to question whether CBD should be allowed or not.

Lastly, CBD does not provide a threat to users or those around them. While CBD and tobacco are both legal, yet banned here on campus, tobacco has negative effects to those who use it and those around them. CBD is the exact opposite.

“There are no negative side effects associated with taking CBD.  Unlike its notorious cousin THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not get you “high” or leave you feeling “stoned,” HempDropz said.

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil. It contains little to no THC. CBD shops are starting to pop up all over the place, proving its legality and that this stuff actually works. CBD comes in many forms such as sprays, lotions, oils, and HempDropz’s most popular product: a water soluble which can dissolve into any drink.

A new CBD shop also just opened up in my hometown, and the owner explained that he suffered from a condition for years, but no doctor or medication ever helped him until he tried CBD. He believes in this natural remedy so much that it motivated him to open this new store to help others.

There are many benefits to CBD, and while it may be scary allowing students to use something so close to something illegal, the testimonies, true stories, and research are there to say that CBD might just save some college students’ days.