Collier school board approves medical marijuana policy

Rachel Fradette

Collier schools students who are qualified medical marijuana patients can now receive treatments on campus under a new policy passed unanimously by the school board this week.

Florida school districts are required by a 2017 state law to approve a policy for qualified students by Dec. 31.

The school district started discussions on a policy after the state's Department of Education sent a memo to all Florida superintendents reminding them of the approaching deadline.

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After a second hearing of the policy Tuesday, the school board adopted its policy with no changes or discussion. The new policy took effect following the school board's vote.

A procedure adopted in October 2018 was already in use by the district, which does not keep numbers of how many students receive treatments on school campuses.

Other Florida school districts also are approving and updating policies to adhere to state requirements ahead of the deadline.

Here are some key factors to the new policy

Only a caregiver can administer treatments

Faculty, staff and other school personnel are not allowed to administer or store doses of medical marijuana under state law and school policy.

Only a caregiver — a Florida resident older than 21 who is registered in the medical marijuana registry — can possess medical marijuana and give doses to patients while on school campuses.

After parents put in a request to have a child receive medical marijuana doses on campus, Collier school employees, namely a school principal, will arrange an informational meeting about treatment and accommodations.

Previously: Collier County schools close to approving new medical marijuana policy

Students won't carry medical marijuana around in their backpacks

Under the policy, Collier students "may not possess medical marijuana at any time or place on District property except during the time of its administration."

School campuses will designate a specific site for a student to receive treatments, chosen by the principal. Caregivers will provide supervision.

One dose per treatment session

Caregivers are only permitted to bring in a single dose to school for a student to receive a treatment.

A caregiver has to remain with their qualified student until the dose is taken.

No smoking, vaping or patches  

The school district's policy prohibits forms of administration and ingestion that "provide continuous delivery of medical marijuana."
Smoking, vaping and patches among others are not allowed while a student patient is at school.

CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, use is allowed under the Collier district policy and state law, according to the state health department. However, it also is limited to a single dose for each treatment.