SANTA CRUZ SCHOOL AGREES TO LET GIRL ENTER MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROJECT IN
SCIENCE FAIR

SANTA CRUZ. Calif. - A Santa Cruz seventh grader will be allowed to enter
her science project exploring marijuana's medicinal properties at a school
fair.

Officials at Mission Hill Junior High School initially questioned whether
"Mary Jane For Pain," a project that included marijuana-laced props, met
science fair guidelines.

But over the weekend, principal Cathy Stefanki-Iglesias reviewed the 13
year old's research and decided it was fit for display at Wednesday
evening's event - without props that included a marijuana-steeped rubbing
alcohol and a pot muffin.

"She had some good questions," Stefanki-Iglesias said. "The value is in
what the student learned from the scientific process."

That process included a survey of five local women who say they use
marijuana to treat various illnesses. Her aunt helps take care of a family
friend who is seriously ill with cancer and each week produces a batch of
marijuana muffins for a local group that gives pot to patients with
prescriptions in line with California law.

The project falls under the fair's "social science" banner, Stefanki-
Iglesias said.

The girl's father, Joe Morris, said his daughter might bake a parsley
muffin to replace the confiscated props.