HB 18-1286

HB 18-1286, also known as the "School Nurse Give Medical Marijuana At School" bill, allows school nurses and designated personnel to possess and administer medical marijuana to students who need it during school hours. This means that if a student has a prescription for medical marijuana from their doctor, the nurse or another authorized staff member can give them the medication at school. The bill also requires parents to work with the principal to create a plan for administering the medicine and ensures that all instructions come directly from the prescribing physician. Since this bill has been signed into law, it is now legal for schools in Colorado to follow these guidelines when handling medical marijuana for students who need it.

Official Summary

Under current law, a primary caregiver may possess and administer medical marijuana in a nonsmokeable form to a student while the student is at school. The bill allows a school nurse or the school nurse's designee, who may or may not be an employee of the school, or school personnel designated by a parent to also possess and administer medical marijuana to a student at school. The bill provides a school nurse or the school nurse's designee or the school personnel designated by a parent protection from criminal prosecution if he or she possesses and administers medical marijuana to a student at school. The bill requires the medical marijuana storage container or plan for administration to contain clearly labeled dosing, timing, and delivery route instructions from one of the student's recommending physicians. One of the student's recommending physicians shall send any changes to the required dosage, timing, or delivery route to the school nurse and person administering the medical marijuana, if different. The school principal or his or her designee and the student's parent shall agree to a written plan for administering medical marijuana prior to the student starting school. The student's parent or primary caregiver shall deliver the student's medical marijuana to the person designated by the school as the person who secures the medical marijuana before the student starts school and as necessary to replenish the supply. The person who secures the medical marijuana shall place the medical marijuana in a locked storage container. The person who secures the medical marijuana shall return any unused medical marijuana to the student's parent or primary caregiver upon request. The student shall not handle the medical marijuana on the grounds of the school, school bus, or school-sponsored event. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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