3423 Policy – Parental Administration of Marijuana for Medical Purposes

Bellingham Public Schools will permit a student who meets Washington鈥檚 statutory requirements for medical marijuana to consume marijuana-infused products for medical purposes on school grounds, aboard a school bus, or while attending a school-sponsored event in accordance with this policy. The district will first verify that the student and parent/guardian meet the statutory requirements by requiring presentation of valid Washington recognition cards for medical marijuana under RCW 69.51A.220.

The district will not store or administer marijuana-infused products for any purpose. Although the school nurse may oversee the process of compliance with this policy, the school nurse will not provide, administer, or assist the student with the consumption of the marijuana-infused product. The parent/guardian of the student are the only persons who may provide, administer, or assist student with the consumption of the marijuana-infused product. Students will not self-carry or self-administer marijuana for medical purposes or for any other purpose. Administration of a marijuana-infused product by smoking is strictly prohibited.

The superintendent will consult building principals to identify a location on school grounds where the parent/guardian can administer a marijuana-infused product to the student, considering feasibility and the needs for privacy. Specifically, a location that does not create risk of disruption to the educational environment or exposure to other students. The district discourages parental administration of marijuana-infused products on board a school bus. However, the district acknowledges that there may be circumstances where parental administration of a marijuana infused product on board a school bus is necessary; therefore, the superintendent will establish procedures to address such circumstances. When a school-sponsored event occurs at another Washington public school, the location identified by that school will serve as the location for parental administration of a marijuana-infused produce. The superintendent will establish procedures to address circumstances where a school-sponsored event occurs in a place of public accommodation in Washington. However, school-sponsored events that occur outside the state of Washington or on federal property are not subject to Washington law and cannot be included in the scope of this policy.

After administering the permissible form of medical marijuana, the qualified student, the parent/guardian will remove any remaining marijuana from school or district grounds, school bus, or school-sponsored event. The district may limit or revoke permission for the parents or guardian of a qualifying student to administer marijuana for medical purposes if the parents or guardian or qualified student violates this policy or demonstrates an inability to follow this policy鈥檚 parameters responsibly.

Nothing in this policy requires an accommodation for medical marijuana in the place of employment or diminishes the district鈥檚 ability to enforce its drug-free schools鈥 policy. Student possession, use, distribution, sale or being under the influence of marijuana inconsistent with this policy may be considered a violation of the district鈥檚 drug-free schools and subject to district action.

Updated: 9/28/2022
Superintendent or Board Approved: Superintendent Approved
Cross References: Content
 

3416 Medication at School

5201 Drug-Free Schools, Community and Workplace

 


Legal References: Content
 

Chapter 69.51A RCW-Medical Cannabis

RCW 28A.210.260 Public and private schools-Administration of medication-Conditions


Management Resources: Content
 

Policy News, July 2019 Parents Can Administer Marijuana Infused Treatments at School