RUTHFULLY YOURS

Michigan K-12 students may soon be permitted to use medical marijuana and CBD-infused products at school under a new bill presented last week.

Proposed by Democratic representatives in the Michigan House, the legislation would legally allow students to consume edibles, beverages and other low-THC marijuana products on school premises or buses.

The administration of these products would be overseen by a designated school staff member. Only students with clear written authorization detailing the timing and purpose, such as for emergency relief or symptom prevention, could use them.

“What it does is allow medical marijuana pediatric patients to have their medication in the schools the same way anyone else has their medications stored,” Michigan State Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr., told CBS News. “The same way, whether it be in a nurse’s office or an administration office, they would go up and access their medication the same way anyone else would, and they would go back to class.”

The new initiative aims to increase accessibility to medical marijuana for eligible students.

In addition, the bill showcases Michigan’s evolving stance on drug policies, aligning with both its legal and illegal drug environment. For example, a bill introduced in September aimed to decriminalize psychedelic plants, and there was a recent revision to the drug-testing policy for new hires this month.

State Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) expressed his intent to broaden the dialogue regarding specific substances and their place in society.

“Should people go to jail for this? Should we spend money for these crimes? My answer is no,” he said at the time. Irwin cited potential medical benefits the substances may offer, like reducing depression.

“Most of those students who have autism or have chronic pain or epilepsy have to take time out of the school day, miss instructional hours and go off campus to take medicine, and then come back,”
Dylan Wegela, one of the bill’s sponsors, discussed the new initiative with CBS. “This would simply make their day a lot more cohesive.”

HB 5603, now under the purview of the Committee on Regulatory Reform since Sept. 28, 2023, also offers guidelines on the transportation and storage of these products. It emphasizes that they should be managed like any other student medication.

In 2015 a New Jersey teen with epilepsy and autism returned to school full time after winning the fight to have the medical marijuana oil she needs administered to her at school. Inspired by her case, Governor Chris Christie enacted a law allowing parents or primary caregivers to give edible medical marijuana to their ailing or disabled children during school hours. This law also safeguards school districts from potential liabilities.

As of January 2022, 36 states, four U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Meanwhile, 18 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories have legalized marijuana for recreational use by adults.

In 2008, the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act made Michigan the 13th U.S. state to embrace medical marijuana. A decade later, with the passage of Ballot Proposal 1 in 2018, it became the 10th state to endorse recreational marijuana use. Notably, Michigan stands as the first midwestern state to enact such legislation, which grants adults and eligible patients the right to acquire, possess, and consume marijuana.