But while the national numbers may be at an all-time high, East Lansing Police Department said the local marijuana arrests have held steady in the past few years.

Narcotic arrests in the last five years have typically been slightly below 100 per year. East Lansing police Lt. Kevin Daley estimated that about 90 percent of narcotics arrests are for marijuana violations — and most of those arrested are between the ages of 17 and 25.

Daley said the number of arrests are in line with other colleges with populations like MSU.

“It is very similar to other college towns,” Daley said. “I don’t feel we have any greater issues or problems. Our number one problem is still alcohol.”

MSU police Inspector Kelly Beck said drug arrests — of which there are about 100 per year on campus — are the result of a typical college atmosphere.

“It’s part of our everyday activities,” Beck said. “We respond and investigate cases like these often.”

One result of drug convictions that affects students is a federal law punishing those who receive financial aid and have been convicted of marijuana-related charges.

Students who are found guilty of marijauana charges and who receive financial aid run the risk of having their eligibility revoked, especially those with more than one conviction or a trafficking charge.

Cathy Wilcox, senior associate director for the University of Iowa’s student financial aid office, said the confusion of marijuana laws in relation to student aid has affected applications. The current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form asks applicants whether they have been convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs while receiving federal student aid.

“They’ve made some modifications to the requirements, and what I’ve found is that