Gwinnett County Changes Student Conduct Code Regarding Cannabis

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — Gwinnett County Board of Education has approved changes to its student conduct behavior code to clarify its position on cannabis. At its August 15 meeting, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved a change to its policy regarding the possession and/or sale of cannabis in Gwinnett County public schools in light of the passage of the Georgia Hemp Farming Act May 10, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) said in a news release.

The new changes specifically identify cannabis as a prohibited substance in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). Previously, Rule 7 of the Gwinnett Student Conduct Behavior Code addressed "marijuana" however, in light of the new state law which legalized the growing of cannabis, or hemp plants, school system leaders felt it necessary to update its rules to address “cannabis.”

"While cannabis/hemp plants are now legal in Georgia when produced by licensed growers and possessed by individuals, the possession or sale of cannabis remains a violation of GCPS school rules," GCPS said. "This is similar to other substances or items that may be legal (cigarettes, other tobacco products, knives, etc.) but that students are not allowed to have or use on school grounds, at bus stops, on a school bus, and at school activities, functions, and events."

Steve Flynt, associate superintendent for school improvement and operations called the change necessary in order to ensure its student code of conduct.

Gwinnett’s School Police and its school resource officers will join other police agencies in temporarily halting the issuance of misdemeanor marijuana charges. Arrests and citations will resume when a court-accepted THC concentration test is available, GCPS said.

Gwinnett students may not face criminal charges for possession of cannabis, they will face disciplinary action if they have it on school grounds, at bus stops, on a school bus, or at school or district activities, functions, and events, GCPS said.