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Should medical marijuana be treated like any other medicine at school? The state thinks so, and Grand Coulee Dam School District directors last week briefly discussed a possible policy on the matter during a first reading of several policies.
When a policy regarding medication at school came up at their meeting Aug. 26, Superintendent Paul Turner brought the board’s attention to a paragraph about medical marijuana in particular, which explains that although the substance may be legal in some states, it is still illegal at the federal level and illegal to use at federally funded institutions, such as schools.
Turner said that a medical marijuana policy would be a separate policy altogether, and that he would be looking further into the issue, including federal versus state laws. He said he would have more information for the board at their next meeting, which will be Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the high school library.
“Be aware, we need to have a conversation about that,” Turner told the board.
Director Butch Stanger expressed how crucial federal funds are for the school.
Director George LaPlace asked if the policy would apply for students or staff, to which Turner replied he believes it’s for both.
Washington State House Bill 1095, which passed the Legislature and was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee in April, says schools must allow a student who is legally authorized to use medical marijuana to be able to consume “marijuana infused products” while at school, on a school bus, or at a school event, with a parent or guardian present.
The law also states that at the request of that student’s parent or guardian, a school board must adopt a policy on the topic. It must address, among other things, that smoking or other inhalation of marijuana won’t be allowed, identify places on school grounds where the products can be consumed, and establish methods to verify a student’s authorization to use medical marijuana.
The parent or guardian of the student must be present to administer the infused product.
The state law also says that a district must stop implementation of the policy if the federal government communicates a possible stop to federal funding because of it.
Despite being illegal under federal law, 33 states allow medical marijuana, with 11 of those states, plus Washington D.C., the capital itself, also allowing recreational use.
A July 31 article in Forbes states that “In June, the House of Representatives voted 267 to 165 to approve a measure for the first time that prevents the Department of Justice from spending money to intervene in the implementation of state and territory marijuana policies.”
It’s unknown how the Republican-controlled Senate will deal with the issue.
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