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As of today, there are 23 U.S. states that have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Over the past three years, however, three of these states have taken it a step further and legalized recreational use of the cannabis plant.

But what impact have such rulings had on campus regulations at universities within those states?

Kenn McConnellogue, vice president for communication at the University of Colorado, said most universities in Colorado were not incredibly affected by the legalization of recreational marijuana.

“It’s no more a problem than it’s ever been,” McConnellogue said. “We’re not unlike other college campuses in America. Legalization hasn’t really significantly changed the issue.”

The University of Colorado, he said, has had to take steps toward communicating with students and parents on the university’s attitude toward marijuana, but legalization has had little effect on that attitude.

Currently, the state of Iowa remains one of the 27 states that have not legalized marijuana — medical or recreational.

Jason Bauer, associate vice president for student affairs at Grand View University, said that if the laws in Iowa were to change, considerations would be made on whether or not it should be allowed on campus.

“One factor that may be considered is [that] we have a smoke-free campus even though smoking is legal in Iowa—so does [marijuana] fall under that same umbrella?” Bauer asked.

What do Grand View students think about marijuana legalization and its potential impact on GV? Press “play” on the video below to hear from a few.

Marijuana Legalization Timeline

Information provided from ProCon

1991 – First medical marijuana initiative passed in San Francisco

1996 – California becomes first state to legalize medical marijuana

1998 – Congress prevents implementation of medical marijuana law in Washington, D.C.

Alaska, Oregon, and Washington become second, third and fourth states to legalize medical marijuana

1999 – Maine becomes fifth state to legalize medical marijuana

2000 – Hawaii, Colorado and Nevada becomes sixth, seventh and eighth states to legalize medical marijuana

2004 – Vermont and Montana become ninth and 10^th states to legalize medical marijuana

2005 – U.S. Supreme Court rules Congress may ban marijuana use in Gonzalez v. Raich

2006 – Rhode Island becomes 11^th state to legalize medical marijuana

FDA confirms opposition to smoked marijuana for medical purposes

2007 – New Mexico becomes 12^th state to legalize medical marijuana

2008 – Michigan becomes 13^th state to legalize medical marijuana

2010 – New Jersey and Arizona become 14th and 15th states to legalize medical marijuana

Medical marijuana becomes legal in Washington, D.C.

2011 – Delaware becomes 16^th state to legalize medical marijuana

2012 – Connecticut and Massachusetts become 17^th and 18^th states to legalize medical marijuana

Colorado and Washington become the first states to legalize recreational marijuana

Case is made to Federal Court to change the “schedule I” status of marijuana

2013 – New Hampshire and Illinois become 19^th and 20^th states to legalize medical marijuana

2014 – Maryland, Minnesota, and New York become 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd states to legalize medical marijuana.

2014 – Alaska becomes 3^rd state to legalize recreational marijuana

2015 – Oregon becomes 4^th state to legalize recreational marijuana.