The state of Colorado has allowed parents and caregivers to bring and administer non-smokable medicinal cannabis to children at school since June of 2016 when Governor John Hickenlooper signed HB16-1373, also known as Jack’s Law.
The bill was a milestone for school-aged medical cannabis patients in the state, but even still, it did not make any provisions to allow school nurses to keep and administer marijuana as they normally do with other medications.
On March 8, Representative Dylan Roberts [D] introduced HB 18-1286, a measure to allow a primary caregiver, school nurse, or someone selected by the nurse to voluntarily administer medicinal cannabis to a student with a valid recommendation.
The bill, also known as Quintin’s Amendment, passed the House in April with a 47 to 17 vote before the Senate approved an amended version of the measure in May with a final 49 to 12 vote.
Hickenlooper added his signature to HB 18-1286 on Monday, making it state law.
“Their message was overwhelmingly persuasive,” wrote Hickenlooper in a letter to the House of Representatives, referring to Hannah Lovato and her son Quintin who inspired the new bill. “And we sign this bill today with much admiration for Quintin and expect great things in the future from this impressive young man.”
Hickenlooper writes that, along with the new school nurse administration policy, the legislation includes safety measures dealing with the transport, handling, and storage of medicinal cannabis so that other students do not come into contact with it.
