DENVER – Colorado’s Senate has passed legislation to make it easier for children with complicated medical conditions to receive cannabis-based medication at school.
Wednesday’s 33-1 vote sends the bill to the House. One champion of the legislation is Republican Senate minority leader Chris Holbert, who cited emotional testimony by Benjamin Wann, a Douglas County student who takes a cannabis-based medication to treat his epilepsy.
Under current law, school districts must allow parents and caregivers to possess and administer cannabis-based medicine on school grounds. School principals have discretion whether to allow school personnel to posses and administer medicine on school grounds. The new bill would remove that discretion.
The bill would allow personnel to follow a prescription plan by the child’s physician. It would protect personnel following the plan from criminal or civil liability.
Parents testified before a Senate Committee on Education about the difficulties their children face trying to take their medicinal cannabis doses while in school. Some said they have to leave work to deliver medicine to their children. Others opted to have their children learn remotely because it’s easier to administer medicine at home.