Michigan K-12 students would be able to use medical pot on school grounds under new law

Michigan students enrolled in K-12 schools may soon be allowed to consume their medical cannabis on school grounds (and on the bus, which is probably the envy of anyone who was bullied in these tragic vehicles), FOX 2 Detroit reports. This will only apply if the new legislation introduced last week is passed. Democratic representatives in the Michigan House of Representatives introduced the bill that would allow students to consume edibles, infused beverages and other low-dose cannabis and CBD products.

But as much fun as some readers may find imagining kids lighting up a joint in the back of a school bus and telling the bullies where to put it, the teachers will be responsible for administering the cannabis (and not in the form of joints). be responsible. . Anyone who prescribes medical marijuana needs special written permission as to when it can be taken. The aim of the legislation is to make it easier for children who use cannabis therapeutically to take their medication.

For fairly obvious reasons, the idea of ​​children consuming cannabis at all, even with a doctor’s approval, is quite controversial given our country’s drug war. But if children were prescribed a different drug but couldn’t take it during school hours, which take up most of their day, communities would be in turmoil. This latest proposed law aims to treat cannabis as just another prescription.

In Michigan, children’s use of medical cannabis requires approval from not just one, but two medical professionals. This rule sets Michigan apart from most states where medical marijuana is legal, as many of these states do not require a minimum age of 18 for medical marijuana users. Conditions that can be treated with medical cannabis in children include epilepsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, attention deficit disorder, and cancer-related pain and nausea.

In other Michigan news affecting adults, those over school age and some of the labor market, starting Sunday, most government agencies will no longer test prospective employees for cannabis. It even has retroactive effects, as those denied work due to positive THC tests can face the same sanctions. John Gnodtke, the state’s human resources director, proposed the change to the Michigan Civil Service Commission on May 12.

Subsequently, at a July 12 meeting, the Michigan Civil Service Commission approved the proposed additional changes and adopted rule changes that would allow for the removal of active sanctions for some applicants who have tested positive for cannabis on drug tests since 2020.

“If a drug test is required, an hiring authority shall require a test for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines and phencyclidine, except that a marijuana test for a pre-employment drug test for a new employee in a position that is not tested was not permitted and cannot be used to revoke a conditional offer of employment for such a position,” the amended rule states. “Before an authority requires 9f testing for other drugs, it must first obtain written approval from the director. A request must include the agency’s proposed initial testing methods, testing levels, and performance testing program. When carrying out a reasonable suspicion or post-accident investigation, a public authority may require testing for any medicinal product listed in Schedules 1 or 2.”

In late August, a leaked letter from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine recommended reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

The DEA defines a Schedule III substance as a “drug with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” The DEA says that the abuse potential of Schedule III drugs is lower than that of Schedule I and II drugs – but is more habit-forming than Schedule IV drugs (which includes Xanax) and Schedule V drugs (such as Robitussin AC ). Other examples of Schedule III drugs include pills containing less than 90 mg of codeine per dosage unit, ketamine, and testosterone.

This move was aimed at Anne Milgram of the DEA. While this reclassification is being hailed as “historic,” it is worth noting that while this reclassification would loosen certain restrictions, cannabis would still be considered a controlled substance, leading many people to argue that there is far too little to be fully implemented Repeal of cannabis prohibition and the ongoing war against the cannabis industry represents drugs.

Confirmation of this recommendation came shortly after the revelation, when HHS announced that its representative had indeed passed on its findings to the DEA. An HHS spokesperson stated, “Based on the data and science, HHS quickly responded to President Biden’s direction to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and submitted its marijuana scheduling recommendation to the DEA on August 29, 2023.”

While most pro-cannabis activists believe this isn’t enough, the impact of the proposal alone was enough to send cannabis stocks soaring.