By Robbie Chamberlain
The Scene staff
It’s been more than three years since Missouri legalized recreational marijuana, and Forest Park students still have mixed feelings.
Some students use it, saying it provides comfort and relieves stress.
“In high school, I was in a very bad place mentally,” said Ellie Russel, 20, a criminal justice major. “I found that when I do it, it helps me calm down and get out of my head.”
On the other hand, some students think cannabis can negatively affect their academic performance and personal life. They opt not to consume it at all.
“I’ve just never felt the need to, and I don’t know where I would get it (if I did),” said general transfer student Milo Marston, 17.
Non-degree student Frank Rosario, 69, who has a bachelor’s degree in architecture, has lived more than 50 years longer than Marston. He smoked marijuana once but didn’t like it.
“I value being intentional and in control,” he said. “I’ve never found solace or liberty in relinquishing that control.”
Despite differences on personal marijuana us, most students seem to believe that state legalization was a good idea.
In fact, in a random survey conducted by The Scene, several students voiced support for federal legalization.
“I don’t see why it should be illegal,” said Dylan Crittenden, 17, a dual enrollment student.
Voter approval
In November 2022, Missouri voters approved Amendment 3, allowing the legal consumption of marijuana by anyone 21 or older. The new law took effect on Dec. 8. Dispensaries began opening the following February.
Recreational cannabis sales have increased every year since then, reaching nearly $1.3 billion in 2024, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. At the same time, medical sales have decreased.
Some students have noticed a marked difference in the presence of marijuana in society since legalization.
“I think you’re much more apt to smell weed anywhere, anytime, from anyone, and that’s in contrast to before when you could tell someone just used weed or had the smell in their clothing,” Rosario said. “But it’s just so pervasive now.”
Health sciences student Zayab Abad feels that cannabis consumption really hasn’t changed that much and that stoned people are still acting “dumb as shit.”
Some students pointed out that legalization also has given people easier and safer access to weed.
“It gives those that want to try it the chance to do it,” said Jaleel Muhammad, 19, a general transfer student. “Back then, before it was legal, it could’ve been laced.”
One person on campus with a unique perspective is John Fallah, 57, human services program coordinator. He teaches a class called Substance Use, Abuse and Dependence.
Fallah hasn’t noticed any huge amount of excitement over legalization or heard people say, “Woo-hoo, I can get it!” But it’s been shocking for him to see cannabis billboards along the highway.
“On 170, there’s always a billboard (that reads) ‘Where to get the best weed,’” he said. “And when I see that, at my age, I say ‘Jesus Christ, I never would have thought I would live to see this kind of billboard.’ People were arrested for this.”
Federal movement
Legalization in Missouri and other states has created booming cannabis markets and renewed calls for federal legalization.
On Dec. 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that instructs the attorney general to reschedule marijuana as a Schedule 3 Controlled Substance on the federal level. This change would open the door to further research and potential future legalization.
“I think it’s just pointless to put people in prison for it,” Marston said. “I think it can only lead to more suffering.”
“What’s the point in not doing that when the states are doing it anyway? It’s completely senseless,” Rosario added. “Then you can tax it, maybe get in sync with the 50 states.”
Fallah thinks weed should be legalized at the federal level but that it would be tricky to implement an effective nationwide system for regulation.
“The same way we set it at the level of states — that you can only buy this amount I think just take it to the federal, but I think the fear is that it would be abused,” he said. “Illinois can control theirs, Missouri can control theirs. If you take it to the federal level, it would be difficult for the same reason as minimum wage.”
STLCC survey
According to last year’s Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors survey, 73% of students in the St. Louis Community College district hadn’t used cannabis in a year. But most students believe that their peers use it.
What did those interviewed by The Scene think?
“I’d probably say 50%,” Russell said.
Paul Caso, 19, a general transfer student, who is white, added, “Just based on race, probably like 50-50, but I don’t know if I can make that assumption.”
Rosario said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if most people drink alcohol and smoke weed. It’s so readily available and socially acceptable.”
Some 23% of STLCC students in the survey reported consuming cannabis in the past month.
Fallah is skeptical about the low figures on marijuana use, but he hasn’t reviewed the data and would like to compare it with other sources to verify its accuracy.
“If you have 1,000 (arrests) in 2024 versus 16,000 in 2018, what are you telling me?” Fallah asked. “The sales tax went up $225 million. When this data says that people have not been using in the last 12 months, I’m kind of suspect. Not saying it’s wrong, but I’m curious to check on the data.”
The survey found that 76% of STLCC cannabis users consume it to relax, 50% use it to reduce anxiety, 48% use it to aid sleep and 43% use it socially with friends.
“Maybe I’m just like chilling,” Caso said. “Usually I’m with other people, but every now again, I’ll be alone just to chill. I don’t use it for any stress or medical reasons.”
“I use it whenever I’m trying to mellow out, get some sleep, not all the time but whenever I have it available,” Muhammad said. “It does help me feel better whenever I’m sad or just need a good laugh.”
Fallah noted that many STLCC students come from very stressful communities and families, so it makes sense that they might use marijuana to reduce stress and anxiety.
Prohibited on campus
The webpage “Cannabis Use in College: Facts for STLCC Students” contains the Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors survey data and other resources to help students with decision-making.
The use and possession of weed, along with other drugs, is prohibited on STLCC campuses. Most students follow the rules, and not just because they could get in trouble.
“I just don’t think it benefits me,” Caso said. “I know some people like to do it, but I don’t think I’m at a point where if I do it, I could function normally.”
“If I plan on working today, I’m not gonna take it,” Muhammad added. “If there is a rare time where I’m not doing anything at all, and I happen to have it, I’ll take it because for the entire day, I will be mellowed out.”
Not all students follow the rules, and some bring weed to school. Campus police officer Daniel Taylor said it’s not often that people are caught smoking, but the smell is sometimes present, particularly in bathrooms.
“To me, not that often, only sometimes,” Crittenden said. “Then again, anywhere you go, you might.”
“I do be smelling that shit,” Abad said. “I just found it Tuesday.”
Those suffering from cannabis use disorder or related mental health issues are encouraged to seek help from STLCC counseling services or the Student Advocacy and Resource Center on campus.