OBJECTIVE: We aimed to understand the current state of the grey literature pertaining to substance use policies on Canadian university campuses.

METHODS: We followed Arksey and O'Malley's 5-step framework, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched institution webpages, the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health(CICMH) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) websites for policy and/or guiding documents targeting student substance use on university campuses, published between 2012 to 2024.

RESULTS: A total of 118 documents were included (Institutions,  = 110; CICMH,  = 7; CAMH,  = 1). Institution documents included government regulations, outlined consumption rules in residence, and banned smoking. Few provided harm-reduction strategies. CICMH and CAMH documents encouraged applying whole-campus approaches when regulating substance use.

CONCLUSIONS: Most institutions focused on individual-level approaches to regulation, and lacked comprehensive, action-based approaches. CICMH and CAMH documents can help create comprehensive, balanced approaches for harm reduction.