December 11, 2012 -
OLYMPIA, Wash. - The State Superintendent says school districts are reporting an increase in marijuana possession and use among young people.
State Superintendent Randy Dorn says the reports come specially after the passage of Initiative 502, which legalizes small quantities of the drug for people age 21 and older, and after two local cases just last week where middle school resource officers found two middle school students in possession of marijuana.
Dorn wants to enforce that the passage of I-502 changes nothing in Washington State public schools, and that certain drugs, including marijuana, continue to be illegal on school property and to anyone younger than 21 years old.
Students cannot possess, distribute, manufacture or be under the influence of drugs at school.
Any student that gets caught will be disciplined according to local district policy and local law enforcement as required. Fines can also be doubled if the arrest occurs within 1,000 feet of a school facility.
Dorn also points out that while people may think a medical marijuana card is similar to a prescription for a controlled substance, it cannot be brought to schools or the workplace. Having a medical marijuana card does not mean a student, or an employee, or anyone for that matter, can bring marijuana on school grounds.
