Medical Marijuana Use Now Allowed at Hillsborough Schools

Hillsborough, NJ -- Students at Hillsborough School District will now be able to receive medical marijuana if needed.

The Board of Education passed the second and final reading of a policy regarding the administration of medical marijuana at its May 9 meeting.

“The Board of Education, in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40­12.22, must adopt a Policy authorizing parents, guardians, and primary caregivers to administer medical marijuana to a qualifying student patient while on school grounds, aboard a school bus, or attending a school­ sponsored event,” according to the policy Hillsborough BOE passed.

Governor Chris Christie passed a statue on Nov. 9, 2015 that requires all school districts in New Jersey to adopt a policy allowing qualified children to use medical marijuana.

The legislations was inspired by a 16-year-old Maple Shade girl, Genny Barbour. As a result Barbour's school, The Larc School in Bellmawr, was the first school in the nation to allow medical marijuana on campus.

“We have to do it, this is not a choice,” Hillsborough School Assistant Superintendent Lisa M. Antunes told Patch. “Every school district in the state has to do it and if they haven’t done it, they will have to do it soon.”

The policy does require the student and parent/caregiver to follow strict guidelines to qualify for this new rule including:

• The student and the primary caregiver must complete the registration process to obtain a Registry Identification Card from the New Jersey Department of Health;
• The parent of the student authorized to engage in the medical use of marijuana must submit a written request with supporting documentation to the Principal requesting approval to have a primary caregiver assist in the administration of medical marijuana to the student while on school grounds, aboard a school bus, or attending a school­sponsored event;
• The Principal, in consultation with the school nurse, the school physician, and the Superintendent of Schools, will review each request and upon approval will inform the parent in writing of the approval with details for the administration of medical marijuana to the qualifying student patient;
• The medical use of marijuana by a qualifying student patient while on school grounds, aboard a school bus, or attending a school ­sponsored event will only be authorized after the written approval from the Principal is provided to the parent.

“There is certain criteria a child has to meet for doctors to sign off on this,” Antunes said. “This is very, very regulated.”

To read Hillsborough's full policy CLICK HERE.