OKC district OKs medical marijuana use guidelines

Oklahoma City district students with a medical condition that requires marijuana will be permitted to use the drug at school, the school board voted unanimously Monday night.

According to the new policy, which takes effect immediately, the district will provide a private location for a caregiver to administer medical marijuana to students at school.

The caregiver would be responsible for bringing the medical marijuana to the qualifying student and promptly removing the medical marijuana from the premises after consumption or use, the policy states.

Voters passed State Question 788 in June, legalizing medical marijuana, which is recommended by a doctor in the treatment of a medical condition.

School board member Mark Mann said medical marijuana should be treated like any other prescription drug.

“It was passed by the voters, it’s a medication and it’s a medication that has been prescribed by a doctor,” Mann said. “I don’t see how we can possibly withhold it.

“That may not be popular with some people, but if it’s not popular they need to go back to the ballot box and address it there.”

In a statement, a spokeswoman said the district is implementing a new policy “in anticipation of students who may medically require medical marijuana and have met the proper state licensure requirements.”

School employees will not be allowed to assist students in obtaining or using medical marijuana or storing it for students, the policy states.

State law prohibits smoking of any substance on school property, so students would have to consume the medicine orally or topically, officials said.