In response to changes to state policy, the Warren County R-III School Board is exploring how it will address the use of medicinal marijuana in an educational setting.This means potentially amending the district’s current drug testing policy and consequences.“It’s still illegal at the federal level, but the state of Missouri allows the use of marijuana if you have the medicinal card,” said Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith. “Then we have our own district policy for students involved in activities. It puts us in a weird position.”With the legalization of medical marijuana during last November’s election, a student could potentially test positive for the drug but still be abiding by the law.Under current school guidelines, a student who tested positive would face repercussions relating to their involvement in extracurricular activities. Schools are not allowed to test solely for the purposes of attending school and receiving an education, but only in determining eligibility for involvement in outside school activities.With the revisions to the state law, the district has to determine whether a student in possession of a medical marijuana card who tests positive for the substance in their system will be subject to the drug policy consequences.“It’s a little bit more of a gray area, because there’s no one who’s tested this position on it,” said Klinginsmith.He explained that his “philosophy” is that if a student has received marijuana legally, than an exemption from the policy should be considered.The school board reviewed a policy concerning the matter drafted by the Missouri School Board Association, which has prompted schools across the state to consider the structure of their district drug policies.The recommendation from the association is that marijuana not be allowed in or administered within the school setting, regardless if the student possesses a state-issued medical marijuana card. Board members were in agreement and approved a policy that school nurses should not be administering marijuana and that the substance will not be allowed on school property.But the discussion becomes more complicated when considering whether it will be permissible for a student to be under the influence of marijuana for medicinal reasons during school hours, even if not administered at school.“That’s something we’ll have to discuss with our attorneys: can students come to school under the influence of marijuana if they have a medical card?” said Klinginsmith. “Currently we don’t allow students to come to school under the influence of marijuana under any circumstance.”Warren County R-III School District logo