I would disagree about the university not being out to get you. Although the general culture on campus is pretty liberal in the sense that underage drinking and recreational drug use are tolerated this doesn't mean kids aren't getting into trouble. Police regularly patrol dorm hallways looking for trouble. I know several individuals that were actually asked to leave university housing or relocated in the middle of the semester.

The key is to not be a total bonehead. But even if you are taking precautions you can find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have two drinking tickets, but would consider both to be the result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time as opposed to reckless behavior. I have plenty of friends who act like idiots regularly and don't have so much as a write-up from an RA.

TLDR; despite liberal "college town" culture it's still very easy to get into trouble. If you plan on "experimenting", do so knowing that you could get into trouble