Schools Update Policies Ahead of New Year, Address Cannabis Odor on Campus
As the new school year approaches, local school districts are revising student conduct policies to adapt to changes in Minnesota’s cannabis laws. One of the most significant updates centers around how schools handle cannabis odor on campus — whether from students, staff, or visitors.
Effective July 1, schools have implemented new language in their policies to better address cannabis-related concerns. Among these is a rule specifically targeting situations where a student arrives at school smelling like cannabis. In such cases, the student will be required to either call home for a change of clothing or return home to change before they’re allowed back into the classroom.
School officials stress that the goal of this policy is not punitive, but preventative. Administrators say the presence of cannabis odor can be distracting in a learning environment and may cause unnecessary concern among teachers and classmates.
The updated policy also takes into account students who may use cannabis for medical reasons. If a student has a valid prescription, they must have a medical plan on file with the school nurse. This ensures that their use is documented and managed responsibly, while still upholding district health and safety standards.
Importantly, the rule doesn’t stop with students. The policy extends to any visitor on campus — including parents, guardians, and volunteers — who are found to have a strong cannabis odor. Those individuals will be asked to leave the premises, similar to existing policies around tobacco or alcohol use.
Although recreational cannabis is now legal for adults in Minnesota, schools remain drug-free zones by law. This includes not only the possession or use of cannabis on school grounds but also any cannabis odor that could suggest recent use or exposure. Officials say the smell alone, even in the absence of actual cannabis, can raise concerns about safety and school appropriateness.
These changes reflect a broader effort by schools to balance legal compliance with the need to provide a safe and structured environment for students. As legalization continues to evolve, educators and administrators are tasked with responding in ways that protect student well-being without overstepping legal rights.
As the school year kicks off, districts are encouraging families to review updated handbooks and contact school officials with questions. In the meantime, the message remains firm: schools will continue to enforce policies that keep campuses clean, safe, and free of cannabis odor and other potential distractions.
