Illinois Students Can Now Use Medical Marijuana in Schools

 Posted on August 10, 2018 in Drug Crimes

For years, people have been fighting for medical marijuana to be legal. Many people say there are numerous health benefits to using marijuana as a therapeutic way to cope with certain diseases and disorders. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to be medical marijuana patients anymore - it has been reported that there are over two million legal medical marijuana patients in the 29 states and the District of Columbia that have begun to make medical marijuana usage legal.

Prior to Illinois House Bill 4870, also known as Ashley’s Law, children who were using cannabis as a medical treatment could not use their medical marijuana medication while they were at school. The bill, which the Illinois governor signed into effect last week, allows parents to give a “cannabis-infused product” to their children while they are on school grounds or on a school bus. Cannabis-infused products can be foods, oils, patches, ointments or other cannabis products that are not smoked. The bill also prohibits schools from taking disciplinary action against students who use cannabis-infused products for medical reasons.

Bill Is Known as Ashley’s Law

The bill was introduced in February after a young girl was forbidden from attending class because she medicated with a cannabis-infused product. The 12-year-old girl has epileptic seizures that are related to a leukemia diagnosis and the cannabis-infused products help control those seizures so she can go throughout life being a normal child. The girl’s parents sued the State of Illinois and Schaumburg School District 54 after the event and won their case in April. Bipartisan support was given for the bill in both the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate in prior months, allowing the bill to go into full effect.

Get Help from an Arlington Heights Drug Possession Attorney

While students may now use cannabis-infused products on school property, not all students are privy to this law, and not all forms of cannabis are permitted. Cannabis-infused products do not include forms of cannabis that must be smoked to be ingested. Students must also be state-approved to use medical cannabis and the cannabis must be administered by a parent in such a way that is not disruptive to other students at school. If you or your child is facing legal trouble because of possession of marijuana, you should contact a skilled DuPage County drug possession lawyer. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law can help you fight to protect your rights. Call the office at 847-253-3400 to set up a consultation.

Sources:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/cannabis/pot-topics-marijuana-weed-cannabis-medical-marijuana/

https://patch.com/illinois/springfield-il/rauner-signs-bill-allowing-medical-marijuana-schools

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=4870&GAID=14&GA=100&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=110237&SessionID=91