We had another exciting coalition meeting on July 20th, 2010. Thanks to all who attended. If you are interested in what we talked about please see the meeting minutes by clicking below. If you are interested in finding out some facts and information about marijuana and talking points to use with your kids and your friends and neighbors please click the document link.

DFCC Minutes July

Q: Will school nurses start holding marijuana in their offices since it’s medical for some?

                A: As of now, a person with a medical marijuana card can only have one care-giver who issues their marijuana.  Since the school nurses will not be dispensing medical marijuana, students cannot have this at school.

Q: How does the school plan to deal with the disparity between state and federal law involving the smoke-free and drug free campus?

               A: Under state law, minors may lawfully smoke tobacco products and it’s only a crime to sell to a minor, whereas alcohol and/or drug use is a crime for minors.  As a result, tobacco is deemed less offensive than drug/alcohol use or possession, thus, the consequences are less severe. 

Q: What would you say is the number one reason someone tries marijuana for the first time?

               A: Peer pressure.

Q: Are the school policies the same for all substances?  Tobacco?

               A: No, tobacco does not result in penalties as severe as illicit drugs.

Q: What are the legal and school consequences if youth get caught with pot?

                A: Depending on the amount of marijuana, the penalties will vary.  Legally, minors suffer the same consequences as adults.  In school, students can be expelled, suspended, and the police notified.

Q: What does research show are the short and long term affects on kid’s brains?

               A: Here are some of the effects:

1. Short-term memory impairment and slowness of learning.
2. impaired lung function similar to that found in cigarette smokers.  Indications are that more serious effects, such as cancer and other lung disease, follow extended use.
3. Decreased sperm count and sperm motility.
4. Interference with ovulation and pre-natal development.
5. Impaired immune response.
6. Possible adverse effects on heart function.
7. By-products of marijuana remaining in body fat for several weeks, with unknown consequences.  The storage of these by-products increases the possibilities for chronic, as well as residual, effects on performance, even after the acute reaction to the drug has worn off.  Of special concern are the long-term developmental effects in children and adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to the drug’s behavioral and psychological effects.  The “amotivational syndrome,” characterized by a pattern of energy loss, diminished school performance, harmed parental relationships, and other behavioral disruptions, has been associated with prolonged marijuana use by young persons.  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001143.htm

Q: Why can or can’t we do random drug tests on our students?

               A: While it is extremely costly to conduct drug testing, it also challenges 4th Amendment rights regarding searches and seizures and the ability to potentially create a drug testing policy that meets those constitutional parameters for the particular student community.

Q: What is the law regarding minors acquiring a medical marijuana card?

              A: A person under the age of 18 can only acquire a medical marijuana card with their parents present.