Thor Benson / Cannabis News Box Contributor

Illinois has passed a bill allowing parents to give their children medical cannabis at school. The bill was signed by the state’s governor last week, and parents will now be allowed to administer “cannabis-infused product” to their kids. Kids will not be allowed to smoke cannabis or consume it in any other way that could affect other children. Children are also not allowed to self-administer the cannabis.

“Medical cannabis is very effective for some individuals suffering from seizures that do not respond to other treatments but it often needs to be taken at frequencies that necessitate taking it during school hours,” Rebecca Mason, director of communications for the Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois, told Cannabis News Box. “I do not think it is a large issue in terms of numbers but is certainly a huge issue for students suffering from epilepsy that does not respond to other medications. For them, medical cannabis is often their only option to live a full life, including attending school.”

Before this bill was passed, a parent may have had to take their child off of school property if they wanted to administer cannabis, which obviously causes a lot of issues for parents. Now they will be able to help treat their child while they’re in school.

Mason said lawmakers spoke with many parents and faculty to figure out how to craft a bill that would meet everyone’s needs. Many parents were concerned that something like this would mean children would be smoking cannabis in school, but that is still not allowed. Parents did not want their children being exposed to cannabis smoke or vapor.

“This measure is a good compromise to allow students to take life-changing medication while balancing some fears about medical cannabis in schools,” Mason said. “Should further issues arise, MCAI would like to see the General Assembly address them so that the law does not stand in the way of patients getting relief for debilitating conditions.”

A similar bill has been proposed in California and appears to have a lot of support, and Colorado is already allowing school nurses to administer medical cannabis to children who need it and are allowed to have it. It seems quite possible this kind of legislation will become more common around the country as parents push lawmakers to make their children’s lives, and their lives, a little bit easier.