Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jan 2015
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Charles Hamilton
Page: A16

SCHOOL BARS STUDENT FROM ATTENDING CLASS WHILE USING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

SASKATOON - Every morning Michael Wileniec wakes up in excruciating 
pain. He lives with a rare bone disease called hereditary multiple 
exostoses and says the only thing that eases the pain even a little 
is his medically prescribed marijuana.

In the six years since he got his prescription, Wileniec says his 
quality of life has improved considerably.

This week that changed when he was told he could no longer medicate at school.

"When I went to Nutana (Collegiate) two-and-ahalf years ago they were 
completely OK with me using medical marijuana," Wileniec said.

Now that high school, under the direction of Saskatoon Public 
Schools, has barred him from attending class under the influence of 
his doctor-prescribed medication.

"I was just advised that I am not allowed to come to school under the 
influence of medical marijuana," he said.

Wileniec said until this week he medicated by smoking marijuana 
joints and using a hand-held vaporizer outside the school between and 
before classes. His teachers, he said, were aware of his condition 
and his prescription and had no problem with it.

A letter from superintendent of education Lisa Fleming says "he must 
consume marijuana at a time not connected to school" because of 
concerns for "the safety of all campus members."

No one from the school board was available for comment, but in a 
written statement Friday, a spokesperson said the rules for medical 
marijuana are the same as for other potentially mindaltering prescribed drugs.

"We would be concerned whether anyone - either student or staff - was 
on school grounds while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 
whether prescription or otherwise," the statement says.

Wileniec doesn't buy that answer and believes the new school 
directive is in violation of his right to attend high school and get 
the credits he needs to graduate. He pointed out there are plenty of 
students on school grounds who are under the influence of prescribed narcotics.

"People that use Ritalin, it's a narcotic as well and they do come to 
school high. They are literally expected to do it in order to 
function ... it should be the same for me," he said.

The letter, which Wileniec shared, went on the say that 
"accommodations" will be made for any student who is prescribed 
medical marijuana. He could be given take-home work and allowed to 
attend school for short periods of time while not under the influence 
of his prescribed marijuana.

Wileniec is not the only student trying navigate medical marijuana 
and high school. Local news reports in Calgary indicate that one 
family said their son's high school has allowed the student to 
vaporize marijuana at school.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom