HIGH SCHOOL OFFICIALS NOT READY FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON CAMPUS

Community Forum Raises Questions on Pot at School

FRISCO -- Local high school students face suspension or expulsion for
possessing marijuana at school, but medical pot on campus hasn't been
addressed.

"It's something our school is working on. It could be becoming a
growing issue," said Brett Tomlinson, assistant principal at Summit
High School.

He and Summit County undersheriff Derek Woodman addressed such issues
during a Summit Prevention Alliance-sponsored community forum Tuesday
at the Summit County Community and Senior Center.

State law allows for people under 18 to use medical marijuana similar
to anyone else with a doctor's approval, albeit with parent
permission and a few other extra steps.

The school nurse typically holds students' prescription medications,
but the rules don't work that way for cannabis.

Under state law, a person must have a certificate or be a designated
caregiver (limit one per patient) to hold marijuana for anyone, Woodman said.

"Consequently, the nurse is in violation of law by possessing
marijuana," he said.

Audience members Tuesday submitted such questions as: Why are there
no random drug screenings at the school?

Tomlinson said the screenings are "cost prohibitive."

Before the discussion, two students from the SHS debate team argued
whether recreational marijuana use is bad for kids under 18.

More information regarding Tuesday's discussions are to be posted at
http://summitpreventionalliance.org.