LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Students who need medical marijuana will be able to it in Jefferson County Public Schools.
The JCPS Board of Education passed the policy on Tuesday.
However, there are strict guidelines for its use:
- Students must have one of the medical conditions outlined in the state's medical marijuana law
- It can't be smoked, and must be ingested in gummy, oil or pill form
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Parents will have the option to administer the drug themselves, and JCPS said this is similar to how school nurses administer controlled substances, like Adderall, right now. Nurses and other trained staff can opt out of providing it if they wish.
A spokesperson for the district added they train staff every year to give medications to students, and that this year "will be no exception."
When the policy was first introduced at the beginning of June, "Kentucky Moms for Medical Cannabis" honorary member Dee Dee Taylor said she hears first hand how cannabis helps kids struggling with seizures.
"It needs to be available for all the kids; anyone that needs to use it, it needs to be available," she said. "Medical cannabis has made a huge difference for so many kids and I get goosepimples about wanting to cry because I'm happy to be a part of it."
Students who suffer from seizures often use medical marijuana when other medication doesn't work, but it can be used to treat cancer, PTSD or other terminal illnesses.
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