NJ First in the Nation for Making Pot Oil Legal in Schools for Special Ed Students

Medical marijuana is recognized in many circles as being extremely helpful for people dealing with certain illnesses and conditions. New Jersey legalized medical marijuana in the wake of this realization. However, controversy still looms. In fact, there are plenty of debates about who, when and where people with valid medical pot prescriptions can take doses of the drug.

Imagine how schools are dealing with the issue. On one hand, the push to keep drugs out of schools is paramount. On the other are many families who feel the benefits of medical marijuana for their children far outweigh the amount of time the kids must be out of school to receive their “medicine.”

Not anymore. When Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation making it legal for school children to receive prescribed dosages of medical marijuana (in oil form) in schools, parents of special education students applauded loudly. The impetus for the new law came from a teenager in Maple Shade with autism and epilepsy. The Larc School student benefits greatly from cannabis oil, but the Bellmawr school refused to allow her to receive the treatments on school property.

The new law requires school boards of education to create policies that allow parents, guardians and other primary caregivers to bring edible cannabis to school to administer it to the child. The child must be registered with the NJ Medicinal Marijuana Program and be on record as having a developmental disability.

In the Maple Shade student’s case, four doses of cannabis oil each day has reduced the frequency of her seizures. Her communication skills are improved and she is less aggressive, her parents said. Now, she won’t have to miss school to go home to take her medicine.

One of the bill’s sponsors, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), said this law is important and he thanked the governor for recognizes it as such. Further, he called out to local school board officials. “If you are on a school board I would hope you are there to represent the children. If you are really looking after the best interest of the child, these are children with severe disabilities, and a medicine that is helping them to reach their maximum potential,” Assemblyman Greenwald said.

If you have a developmentally delayed or special education student with special needs in South Jersey, you can rely on Howard Mendelson to fight for your family’s rights. He is a compassionate, experienced lawyer who puts school children first. Contact him today for a consultation about your case.