With marijuana legalization coming up this week, theĀ Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is preparing for it.
“The legalization of cannabis and its effect on schools/students is an operational item that is handled by staff. The Board of Trustees is aware that staff are working on it and continues to be informed,” Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer with the school board, says in a statement to My Bancroft Now.
Donnell says that staff has been preparing for legalization. “A work group meets regularly to review and update existing resources, and develop new resources for schools,” she says. The group consists of representatives from schools across the school board along with the safe schools team and the mental health and special education team, Donnell says.
“Even though recreational cannabis will be legal for adults 19 and older,Ā it will be prohibited in schools,” Donnell says. She adds that it will not be allowed on school property as well.
“Consequences for students having or using or sharing recreational cannabis on school property will be handled the same as other infractions, such as smoking on school property or having/using/being under the influence of alcohol,” Donnell says. She continues, “when these issues come to the attention of school administrators, they do a thorough investigation then determine what will happen from there.” Donnell says a “progressive discipline approach” will be used to work through the individual cases.
Donnell says the school board has also been working with provincial and local partners to prepare for marijuana legalization. “We continue to work with Prince Edward Hastings Public Health for resources about healthy lifestyles and links to several credible organizations with additional resources,” she says. Donnell adds that the Ministry of Education and School Mental Health Assist have provided schools with resources for teachers and parents to go over with students. Kids Help Phone has also given students online resources.
Marijuana will be legalized in Canada this Wednesday.