One of the eligibility requirements for Federal Financial Student Aid is you can’t have a drug conviction.  A drug conviction can include marijuana possession which is a minor misdemeanor(similar to a traffic ticket) and  the requirement doesn’t specify how much or what drugs it includes. To simply put things, a 18 year old college student would lose their financial aid for possessing 1gram of marijuana. Minor misdemeanors should not hold students back from finding their career and succeeding in college.

Many states within our country have chose to legalize marijuana. Not all drugs are the same and have the same use. Over the last 10 years scientists and doctors have studied and confirmed the many benefits of cannabis use. Many students suffer with ptsd, eating disorders, arthritis and other conditions that marijuana does help. 

I am asking for help to end this because I am in this situation. Last night, I was charged with marijuana possession and was informed I am no longer eligible for financial aid. This is my first offense and I am required to wait a year and/or attend a rehab program(which would also put my schooling back 6months to a year) I am a independent student with no parental support and have also been in foster care.  These eligibility requirements are another obstacle for lower income students to receive higher education, but I refuse to let it stop me!!

Please help me and others achieve our goal of higher education and sign!