Recreational cannabis is legal across the country but that doesn’t mean cannabis is allowed on School District 51 property. A letter from Superintendent of Schools Ken Minette says SD51 will continue to prohibit possession, consumption, purchase, and sale of cannabis on school grounds.
Minette explains that doesn’t mean they’re excluding those who require it medically. “We have to be flexible, and if somebody requires medical cannabis then there’s a few things they need to check off, and number 1 it’s gotta [sic] be medical cannabis so they would have a prescription from a doctor for that. They’d also have something called proof of authority to possess it.”
He also explains that the decision isn’t irregular. “It would not change the way that School District 51 operated, nor any school district in BC of course. There’s been a few that have inquired about how it will affect the school system and my answer’s pretty constant: We have student policy for alcohol and for drugs, any substances that will effect one’s judgement.”
Minette adds that staff and minors would also need to inform the Principal and School District. Users would need to work with their doctor to find a solution should their performance be impaired, and vaping and smoking cannabis on school properties would still be banned. Still, as stated online, cannabis is prohibited for everyone, in all forms, on all SD 51 properties.
