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Illinois lawmakers pass Ashley’s Law to allow students to use medical marijuana on school grounds.
On May 17, 2018, the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly passed House Bill 4870 (HB 4870) which, if signed by Governor Rauner, will allow students with a valid prescription for medical marijuana to administer, consume or use it on school grounds and on school buses.
HB 4870, which has been named “Ashley’s Law,” was initiated by the parents of a 12-year old student who, after exhausting all traditional medications, was prescribed medical marijuana to treat epileptic seizures caused by treatments for leukemia. In January 2018, Ashley’s parents filed suit in federal court against the State of Illinois and Schaumburg School District No. 54, alleging that state laws and school policies prohibiting qualifying students from possessing, using, or consuming medical marijuana on school grounds and school buses failed to accommodate students with disabilities in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
While HB 4870 provides families and school districts some relief to accommodate students with disabilities, Ashley’s Law does not provide the wide-sweeping relief many would like to believe.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (“Act”) currently allows qualifying patients under the age of 18, with the consent of a parent or guardian, to receive a registry identification card from the Illinois Department of Public Health in order to obtain a prescription of medical cannabis, commonly referred to as medical marijuana. However, minors are prohibited from consuming medical marijuana in any form other than medical marijuana-infused consumable products. In other words, qualifying patients under 18 years of age cannot smoke medical marijuana, but instead are limited to using marijuana in the form of edible or topical products. While the Act does allow qualifying patients under 18 to use medical marijuana generally, it currently prohibits the possession and consumption of any form of medical marijuana on a school bus and on the grounds of any preschool, primary school, or secondary school. If a student has a disability that qualifies for the issuance of a registry identification card and medical marijuana prescription, the same disability will more than likely qualify the student for an IEP or 504 plan.
Ashley’s Law amends the Act and the Illinois School Code to allow the possession and consumption of medical marijuana on a school bus and on the grounds of any school district, public school, charter school, or non-public school. More specifically, the law adds a new Section 22-23 to the Illinois School Code, requiring schools to authorize a parent, guardian, or designated caregiver to administer a medical marijuana-infused product to a student on school grounds or a school bus as long as the student (as a registered qualifying patient) and the parent, guardian or designated caregiver (as a registered designated caregiver) have been issued a registry identification card by the State of Illinois. After administration, the parent, guardian, or designated caregiver must remove the marijuana product from school grounds or the school bus.
School districts dealing with medical marijuana
If passed, Ashley’s Law will require schools to allow the administration of medical marijuana to students on school grounds; however, it also provides schools with two broad exceptions. First, a school can prohibit the parent, guardian, or designated caregiver from administering the medical marijuana to the student in any manner that would create a disruption to the educational environment or cause exposure of the product to other students. Ashley’s Law does not define what constitutes a “disruption to the educational environment” or “exposure,” and without further guidance would appear to grant the school district substantial discretion.
Second, a school district can prohibit the administration of medical marijuana if it would cause the district to lose federal funding. Federal law still lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, making it illegal to grow or use any marijuana product, including medical marijuana (even if it is authorized by Illinois law). Therefore, if a school district receives any form of federal funding that is contingent upon compliance with federal law, it could be at risk for having those funds withheld by the federal agency that administers the funding.
Ashley’s Law permits the administration of medical marijuana to a student in the education setting rather than forcing the removal of a student from school in order to provide appropriate care. At the same time, Ashley’s Law also ensures that school districts will not be prosecuted by the State of Illinois for allowing qualifying students to use medical marijuana on school grounds. However, Ashley’s Law does not authorize any medical marijuana to be kept on school grounds as it does other student medications. Nor does Ashley’s Law require school personnel, including school nurses, to administer medical marijuana to students as it does with other student medications. Finally, Ashley’s Law does not provide school districts with any protection against an action by the federal government related to the use of medical marijuana on school grounds or school buses. While several other states have passed laws similar to Ashley’s Law, it is not yet clear how the federal government intends to treat such laws.
Next steps
Ashley’s Law was sent to the Governor’s desk on June 15th and is currently awaiting his signature. If signed, Ashley’s Law will take effect immediately. If the Governor takes no action on the bill, it will take effect 60 days after it was sent to him for signature. If passed into law, school districts will be required to adopt a policy implementing Ashley’s Law. School districts are encouraged to contact legal counsel to discuss the impact of Ashley’s Law and formulate a policy regarding the use of medical marijuana by qualifying students on school buses and school grounds.
Additionally, to avoid any disruption or exposure to other students, the procedure and manner of administering medical marijuana to a particular student should be discussed by the school district, the parents, and the IEP Team or 504 Team as applicable. Such procedures should be included in the student’s IEP or 504 plan prior to the administration of medical marijuana at the school.
Posted in Kateah McMasters, Schools and Education