Jul 112010
 

university marijuanaBest College For Marijuana

Some of my best stoner memories came when I was attending college. Getting really high after a test and pigging out on teriyaki chicken and rice near campus; good times indeed. I was talking with an old college friend today, and we were debating which is the most marijuana friendly college in America. I did some research, and here is what I found:

According to ‘The Princeton Review,’ these are the top 20 marijuana friendly campuses (you have to register to view the link, FYI):

  1. University of California — Santa Cruz
  2. Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY)
  3. University of Vermont (Burlington)
  4. Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson,NY)
  5. University of Colorado-Boulder
  6. New College of Florida (Sarasota)
  7. Colorado College (Colorado Springs)
  8. Hampshire College (Amherst, Massachusetts)
  9. University of California — Santa Barbara
  10. Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL)
  11. Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY)
  12. Sarah Lawrence College (Bronxville, NY)
  13. Warren Wilson College (Asheville, NC)
  14. Pitzer College (Claremont, CA)
  15. University of Oregon (Eugene)
  16. Guilford College (Greensboro, NC)
  17. West Virginia University (Morgantown)
  18. Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT)
  19. State University of New York — Purchase College (Purchase, NY)
  20. Green Mountain College (Poultney, VT)

Now I don’t know what TWB readers think, but I think this list is total crap. Princeton Review is considered to be a leader in academic based rankings of colleges, but when it comes to marijuana, they really don’t know what they are talking about. No Humboldt State…really? I guarantee College of the Siskyou’s, College of the Redwoods, Humboldt State, and Southern Oregon University smoke down way harder, on better nugs, and more frequently, than almost every college on that list. I can speak from firsthand experience that the University of Oregon is a GREAT college to be a marijuana consuming student…way better than 15th for sure. Skidmore College at number 2? I’ve never been there before, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to assume that they are not the second most marijuana friendly campus in America.

Here’s High Times’ Top 10:

  1. University of Colorado — Boulder
  2. University of Wisconsin — Madison
  3. University of Florida — Gainesville
  4. University of Oregon — Eugene
  5. Hampshire College — South Amherst, MA
  6. University of Michigan — Ann Arbor
  7. New College of Florida — Sarasota
  8. Humboldt State — Arcata, CA
  9. Wesleyan University — Middleton, CT
  10. University of Vermont — Burlington

While High Times’ list is better than the Princeton Review’s, I still think it misses the mark. The biggest flaw that both of these sources have, is that they are looking at this issue from an East Coast perspective. Almost everyone I have met from the East Coast and Mid-West thought they were smoking on the chronic, until they came to the West Coast and got so high they forgot their own name. I think the best place to start with a list of marijuana friendly colleges is to look at the geographic location. States like Wisconsin and North Carolina are not exactly hot beds for high grade marijuana.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there is some super nugs in very small pockets in East Coast/Mid-West states, but it does not compare to the marijuana buffet that occurs every day on the West Coast, in Colorado, and the emerging chronic scene in Michigan and Montana (of course, Michigan is in the Mid-West, but they are the exception, not the rule). If the state has a booming medical marijuana program, chances are the potency and availability of marijuana has risen dramatically, and the marijuana laws are more liberal. If I had to name MY top marijuana friendly colleges in America, my list would include:

Humboldt State (Arcata, CA) — In the heart of Humboldt, need I say more?

University of Colorado (Boulder) — One of the most beautiful cities in America, and LOTS of nugs

University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) — Go to the Whiteaker District, it sets the tone for the rest of Eugene

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) — Very lenient local laws, and an exploding MMJ scene

University of Montana (Missoula, MT) — My best friend attends there, and it’s undeniably awesome

College of the Redwoods (Eureka, CA) — Again, in the heart of Humboldt, speaks for itself

College of the Siskiyous (Weed, CA) — Weed, California…I got so high visiting there I almost passed out

University of California (Santa Barbara) — This was the original ‘hippie’ college, and they still puff hard

Colorado State University (Fort Collins) — I have smoked nugs there, top quality, easy MMJ access

University of Central Florida (Orlando) — Home to one of the oldest NORML chapters in America

I didn’t number my picks, so they are in no particular order. You might notice that a lot of my picks were not found on the previous two lists…I encourage TWB readers to add their own experiences and choices in the comments below. Remember, these are MY top ten campuses, which might not be the same as YOUR picks. With that being said, let the debating begin! Of course, the undeniable number 1 university when it comes to marijuana friendliness should be Oaksterdam University, but I am referring to ‘currently accredited’ universities in this article…I personally believe that sooner than later they will get full fledged accreditation, at least in MMJ states.

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About Johnny Green

Johnny Green is a marijuana activist from Oregon. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy. Follow Johnny Green on Facebook and Twitter. Also, feel free to email any concerns.
  • http://www.theweedblog.com Johnny Green

    An argument can be made that Greenway University in Colorado is a top pick, but they are only ‘accredited’ in Colorado, and none of their other branches in other states have that distinction. Until they do, I will put them in the same category as Oaksterdam. They will arrive at the national level soon enough!

  • http://www.jayselthofner.com Jay Selthofner

    I have to admit that the University Wisconsin Madison is very progressive. I am bias, being from Wisconsin and running for office with marijuana reform on the mind http://www.jayselthofner.com. This year we will have our 40th Annual Great Midwest Harvest Festival this year in Madison http://madisonhempfest.com/wordpress/ and I asked to speak during the 3 day festival in October. Should be a great time.

    • jake

      what is the chronic like in Madison though? do they even have chronic? i heard all they have is the charlie brown

  • Katrina

    DUDE ARE YOU SERIOUS! HOW IS HUMBOLDT STATE NOT #1 ON THAT LIST?! WEED GROWS ON TREES UP HERE. LITERALLY. YOU SMELL IT JUST WALKING DOWN THE STREETS AND DRIVING BY THE FARMS. THE TEACHERS AND RA’S EVEN BUY FROM THE STUDENTS! LOL. BASICALLY IF YOURE NOT CHILL WITH SMOKING OR WEED IN GENERAL UP HERE, YOU WILL NOT MAKE FRIENDS LOL

    • http://www.theweedblog.com Johnny Green

      That’s what I’m sayin’! I have a few friends that went to school there, and they swear it was the greatest place on earth. I’m trying to get down there this year to see what’s up for myself. Where would you recommend to go?

      • Bombstick

        I am just about to head to college and after reading this I’ve been trying to figure out if i could apply to humboldt with a 2.4 GPA and a 1400 on the SAT. I know my GPA is very low and its because i really screwed around my first two years. If i go i would be going for arts. If I can’t get in with that would you recommend i go to a Community College in my local area which is Northern Virginia to bring my GPA up and apply then? Thanks for the help.

        • Chez

          Dude, you’ll be good with a 2.4 gpa. I got in with multiple F’s to be honest with you. Humboldt accepts everyone! This is my first semester here and I’m loving it! Blaze up!

          • Bombstick

            Dude, awesome hopefully I’ll apply and they’ll accept, I’ve never been to Cali, but I need a change of scenery. All the pot out here is okay, but it is way too expensive. 25 dollars for a gram of heads isn’t acceptable anymore.

          • highrider22

            wow dude 25 a g! tht is more than street value man, even for amazing drugganugga u are being ripped of.

  • Bombstick

    Another few questions, how are the girls out there? and are there many art students?

  • weeder

    I think SUNY New Paltz should be on that list too. They burn like there’s no tomorrow.

  • http://www.dispensaryindex.com Dispensary Reviews

    I’d be hard pressed to argue with your personal top 10 list.

  • Amy

    I think that University of Vermont is very underrated.. the percentage of everyday smokers in High Times’ top 10 was higher than every other college above it (it ranked 10) and though there are no coffeeshops, nearly everyone you meet can point you to a friend, student, or even parents who grows some of the most spectacular bud.. which I still believe after traveling Europe through Holland, Germany and Poland

  • highrider22

    I have a friend that attends skidmore and let me tell you this guy is smoking the best dank out there. beautiful,tasty, delicious buds. I can see why it is on the list, maybe number 2 is a bit too generous, however it does deserve spot somewhere on it.

  • Tblair31

    yal deff must not have bee to florida much, especially south forida. fiu, nova, uf , usf, etc.. all have some of the biggest pot heads i know lmao and im from the west coast originally

  • chris

    FUCK YEAH! GO BUFFS, everyone smokes here at CU

  • Herpderp69

    Northern Arizona University is down too bro

  • Bootshineboilin

    Ohio U. Athens, o.

  • Cthulhu

    UCF has great shit.

  • Michael

    UC Berkeley, that’s all I gotta say