College administrators hope to determine campus policies regarding the usage of cannabidiol—commonly known as CBD oil—by mid-semester as the substance is currently grouped with the college’s cannabis policies.

Resident Director Desiree Bradford—also the interim community standards coordinator—wrote in an email statement to The Beacon that the college is still discussing and finalizing policies pertaining to CBD usage.

Associate Dean of Campus Life Erik Muurisepp said he will lead the group of campus administrators and students to decide on these policies. He does not know who will be on the board to make those decisions and he said he could not disclose that information either way. 

“The plan is to bring people from [the Division of] Student Affairs and appropriate areas, and to student government for student representation and conversation to see what we need to do or what we should be doing around CBD,” Muurisepp said in an interview with The Beacon.

CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis that is typically used for anxiety or other medical ailments, usually as an essential oil or gummy.

Freshman Katherine Desmond said she uses CBD because she does not wish to go on medication. She said she would rather take CBD to regulate her emotional and psychological problems.

“I personally would be pretty upset if there was a policy against it,” Desmond said. “[CBD] helps me with my anxiety, and it is a way I can avoid getting actual anti-anxiety medication.”

Junior Stanley Swerdlow said he started using to CBD oil to help with his social anxiety.

“I have very bad anxiety and the way I usually cope with my anxiety is by pulling my hair or eating, so those aren’t really healthy ways of doing it,” Swerdlow said. “When I use CBD it calms me down, and I don’t feel the need to pull my hair anymore, or at least not as much.”