CO Passes Law Allowing Medical Marijuana in Schools

In an unanimous vote on Tuesday, the Colorado Senate approved “Jack’s Law,” a measure allowing children to use medical marijuana on school grounds. The law, which Governor John Hickenlooper supports, requires schools to establish policies for medical marijuana access, but does not require school administrators or nurses to administer it. Instead, it allows parents or caregivers to provide non-smokeable marijuana to students. 

“Jack’s Law” is named after Jack Splitt, a 15-year-old suffering from spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and dystonia, who requires around-the-clock support. Splitt’s mother Stacey Linn began fighting for access to medical marijuana in schools after administrators confiscated Jack’s cannabis-infused arm patch last February. A nurse who provides daily support for Jack was carrying marijuana oils that were also taken.

Officials at the Jefferson County school that confiscated Splitt's medication said that as recipients of federal funding, federal law applied to their halls. Jack’s Law allows districts to opt-out of the requirement if they can prove the policy caused a disruption in federal funding.

“We don’t have time to wait for school districts to do the right thing,” Jack’s mom Stacey Linn, who is also the executive director of CannAbility Foundation, said in a press release. “Jack and many other children need their medicine to get through the day and learn, and it’s imperative that those responsible for teaching them show compassion and understanding.” 

The law will make Colorado the second state to allow children to use medical marijuana at school.