D60 discussing medicinal marijuana policy
Pueblo City Schools is looking at its policy when it comes to medicinal marijuana in the schools.
Since 2016, District 60 has abided by the state law and allowed parents or primary caretakers to administer medicinal marijuana products to students on campuses. The students are also required to have a prescription or approval from the state of Colorado.
Back in June, Governor John Hickenlooper signed Quintin’s amendment allowing school personnel to administer cannabis based medicines themselves so that parent’s wouldn’t have to. This is all permissible as long as the school district allows it. So far in Colorado, only a few districts have approved this new policy.
Heather Graner drops off her son’s THC gummy medication at least twice a day to Highland Park Elementary School. For her, the trip is absolutely vital. Graner’s nine-year-old son, Isaiah, needs 90 mg’s of THC four times a day.
“He was born with infantile spasms, and they told me he wouldn’t live until five,” said Graner, who moved to Colorado with her son two years ago in order to get him treated with cannabis. “They said he would be severely handicapped. His condition morphed into a movement disorder like Tourette Syndrome and a seizure disorder.”
However, Graner says the medication has greatly impacted Isaiah in a beneficial way. However, she says she has to deliver the medication to him at least twice a day. Causing her to quit her full time job. She says the district’s policy is making it difficult for her to provide for her family.
“I do what I do so I can pay my bills and keep a roof over our head,” said Graner, who has been selling things on Craigslist in order to get by. “But the medication is saving his life! You can’t put a price on that.”
In a statement to KRDO, District 60 says the following in regards to their medicinal marijuana policy:
“Pueblo City Schools is currently enforcing and adhering to guidelines as set forth in our board policy in regards to the administration of medical marijuana. We strive to honor families’ private medical decisions while ensuring a learning environment free of disruption. A student who holds a valid registration from the state of Colorado for the use of medical marijuana and for whom the administration of medical marijuana cannot reasonably be accomplished outside of school hours may qualify under our policy to administer the medication at school. As with all prescribed medications, we work to accommodate parents by providing a private location to administer medications to their child. We ask that a primary caretaker administer the medication.” However, board members have met with Graner to discuss the problem, and are planning to discuss the possibility of changing the policy at an upcoming school board meeting.
