BOE: Keep schools drug-free  

Regardless of what will happen to a bill that would legalize the use of cannabis in the CNMI, the Board of Education wants cannabis out of all public schools.

The board, in last week’s board meeting, voted 5-0 to request the Legislature to uphold the ban of cannabis use by their staff who serve in safety-sensitive positions.

The sentiment was embodied in the board’s written comments that were submitted to the House Judicial and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan), on Senate Bill 20-62 SS1.

S.B. 20-62, introduced by Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar (R-Saipan), aims to regulate cannabis use—both medicinal and recreational—in the CNMI. It passed the Senate but was referred back to JGO because of revenue-generating provisions.

The BOE wants the bill amended to include the following provisions: Prohibit marijuana on all campuses and PSS buildings under all circumstances and exempt PSS from the prohibition on employees discriminating against employees for marijuana use.

BOE legal counsel Tiberius Mocanu said PSS should be exempted from the prohibition on employers discriminating against pot use, “that we should be able to not hire or to fire people for marijuana use.”

“Safety-sensitive positions, like bus drivers and teachers, need to be sober when performing their duties. We are also not allowing it on campuses, even in varying circumstances, including prescription,” he added.

S.B. 20-62 had the same experience as the NMI Workforce Act or the CW1 bill in the U.S. Congress, as it also needed to be re-introduced in the House as there are revenue-generating sections. The U.S. Constitution requires all revenue-generating measures to come from the U.S. House.

BOE chair MaryLou S. Ada said they are glad PSS was given the chance to submit their comments. “We discussed it with the governor [Ralph DLG Torres]. …[Our comments] will be included exactly as to the amendments.”

Ada, in written comments submitted early this month, said the BOE believes that the recreational use of marijuana should barred within PSS. “Our students face any number of obstacles to receiving an education. Whether it be a student’s home life, poverty, or access to resources, our children need to navigate distraction and disadvantage.”

“The legalization of marijuana for recreational use will both be a distraction and disadvantage. However, it seems that the Legislature has already decided it will legalize marijuana in one form or another. Consequently, this letter, which seeks amendments to the current bill, is not an endorsement of legalization, but is written against the backdrop of the existing political reality.”

She reminded that PSS receives federal funding and is covered by drug-free workplace laws. “It is simply a bad idea to allow students and teachers to consume and possess marijuana on campus. Since smoking would still be prohibited on campus, the only form of consumption that would be permitted would be oils and edibles.”

“It is of the utmost importance that PSS not lose its federal funding. The funding pays for infrastructure, books, and Title I teachers. This bill places the funding in jeopardy.”

“It is imperative that our bus drivers are never under the influence of drugs when they drive our children to school. It is necessary that our teachers are sharp and prepared” when they hold classes.

Ada is also understandably concerned about legalization’s impact on PSS students.

“Students who have prescription could easily share their marijuana snacks with those that do not, or worse yet, sell to their fellow classmates. This would cause immeasurable harm to PSS’ ability to educate our students and to maintain a safe and orderly campus,” she said.