Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Woburn - The School Committee continues to examine the potential repercussions of legalizing marijuana use in Massachusetts, but at least one board member clarified that visitors to local schools will still be prohibited from carrying the drug on educational grounds.
During a recent meeting in the Joyce Middle School, school board member Rick Metters revealed the Policy Subcommittee is attempting to study which work policies and rules might need to be revised with passage of a ballot question seeking to legalize recreational marijuana use in Massachusetts.
Question 4 on the state's November election ballot asks citizens to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. If enacted, the initiative would apparently not effect zero drug tolerance policies regarding pupils, as those using or growing marijuana would need to be at least 21.
According to Metters, the Policy Subcommittee is prioritizing the review, because Question 4, if passed, will go into effect just a month after voters head to the polls.
"The key here is if the question was to pass, the changes would go into effect on Dec. 15. The decriminalization would only impact those 21 and older, so there shouldn't be any [effect on school prohibitions on student pot use]," said the subcommittee chair.
Metters launched the review of the district's existing zero tolerance drug policy at the advice last month of School Committee member Joseph Demers, who as a legislative aide to State Rep. James Dwyer (D-Woburn), is familiar with similar reviews happening on the state level.
Demers has suggested local officials could familiarize themselves with the issue by reviewing how school districts in Colorado and Oregon responded to similar initiatives that legalized recreational cannabis use in those states.
Amongst other questions, the School Committee is trying to figure out whether zero-tolerance drug policies for employees, who must pass a drug test in order to be hired, must be reconfigured to reflect the new law.
Last month, school officials also wondered whether passage of Question 4 would trigger changes to current prohibitions on carrying marijauna in school buildings, during sporting contests, and for field trips.
It was thought that new regulations might need to be promulgated to prohibit the use and possession of the drug on school properties. For example, though the use of tobacco is legal in the state, federal and state workplace laws prohibit their use inside education buildings, as well as by students.
However, according to School Committee member Dr. John Wells, existing prohibitions on drug possession are established by the superintendent's office, and as such, are administrative policies that are unlikely to change.
"There are rules in place, that we don't oversee but the administration does, in terms of what can be brought on campus. It's our understanding all of these issues are covered by administrative rules," said Wells.
Question 4 on the state's November election ballot asks citizens to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. If enacted, the initiative would apparently not effect zero drug tolerance policies regarding pupils, as those using or growing marijuana would need to be at least 21.
Under the proposal, a state commission would oversee recreational marijuana regulations, which would ultimately allow citizens to posses as many as 10 ounces of the drug in their homes and carry one ounce or less in public.
The Cannabis Control Commission would also issue licenses to firms that sell marijuana products, which would be taxed.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Ballot Question Unlikely To Affect Visitor Drug Ban
Author: Patrick Blais
Contact: 781-933-3700
Photo Credit: Brennan Linsley
Website: Home News Here
During a recent meeting in the Joyce Middle School, school board member Rick Metters revealed the Policy Subcommittee is attempting to study which work policies and rules might need to be revised with passage of a ballot question seeking to legalize recreational marijuana use in Massachusetts.
Question 4 on the state's November election ballot asks citizens to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. If enacted, the initiative would apparently not effect zero drug tolerance policies regarding pupils, as those using or growing marijuana would need to be at least 21.
According to Metters, the Policy Subcommittee is prioritizing the review, because Question 4, if passed, will go into effect just a month after voters head to the polls.
"The key here is if the question was to pass, the changes would go into effect on Dec. 15. The decriminalization would only impact those 21 and older, so there shouldn't be any [effect on school prohibitions on student pot use]," said the subcommittee chair.
Metters launched the review of the district's existing zero tolerance drug policy at the advice last month of School Committee member Joseph Demers, who as a legislative aide to State Rep. James Dwyer (D-Woburn), is familiar with similar reviews happening on the state level.
Demers has suggested local officials could familiarize themselves with the issue by reviewing how school districts in Colorado and Oregon responded to similar initiatives that legalized recreational cannabis use in those states.
Amongst other questions, the School Committee is trying to figure out whether zero-tolerance drug policies for employees, who must pass a drug test in order to be hired, must be reconfigured to reflect the new law.
Last month, school officials also wondered whether passage of Question 4 would trigger changes to current prohibitions on carrying marijauna in school buildings, during sporting contests, and for field trips.
It was thought that new regulations might need to be promulgated to prohibit the use and possession of the drug on school properties. For example, though the use of tobacco is legal in the state, federal and state workplace laws prohibit their use inside education buildings, as well as by students.
However, according to School Committee member Dr. John Wells, existing prohibitions on drug possession are established by the superintendent's office, and as such, are administrative policies that are unlikely to change.
"There are rules in place, that we don't oversee but the administration does, in terms of what can be brought on campus. It's our understanding all of these issues are covered by administrative rules," said Wells.
Question 4 on the state's November election ballot asks citizens to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. If enacted, the initiative would apparently not effect zero drug tolerance policies regarding pupils, as those using or growing marijuana would need to be at least 21.
Under the proposal, a state commission would oversee recreational marijuana regulations, which would ultimately allow citizens to posses as many as 10 ounces of the drug in their homes and carry one ounce or less in public.
The Cannabis Control Commission would also issue licenses to firms that sell marijuana products, which would be taxed.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Ballot Question Unlikely To Affect Visitor Drug Ban
Author: Patrick Blais
Contact: 781-933-3700
Photo Credit: Brennan Linsley
Website: Home News Here
