Pubdate: Sat, 17 Jan 2015
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html
Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Charles Hamilton
Page: B3

STUDENT TOLD HIS MEDICAL POT MUST BE LEFT AT HOME

High School Enforces Ban on Those Affected by Mind-Altering Drugs

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 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-a-half 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 mind-altering 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, 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, who is 21, and is at Nutana because his condition and the 
resulting surgeries made it difficult to finish school.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom