Web Editor: Matt Bush, Online Content Producer
Created: 3/9/2007 1:47:21 PM
Updated: 3/9/2007 2:09:22 PM
WLBZ2
Some California teens are giving a new meaning to "high" school. Students are finding easy access to medical marijuana cards and presenting those cards to school authorities as a legitimate excuse for getting high.
"It's not a get out of jail free card at all," said Cathrine Martin, of the Grossmont Union School District.
Martin says even though medical marijuana is legal in California, the law doesn't apply to schools which are subject to federal law.
The district also says the students most recently suspended for being high with cards in hand, didn't have major illnesses.
"Students are getting them for things like sleeplessness and stress, it just draws into question how easy is it for people to get their hands on these cards," said Martin.
According to the district attorney's office, it's extremely easy if you know where to look.
During a series of recent under cover sting operations, DA investigators identified a handful of San Diego Doctors who prescribe marijuana to just about anyone, so long as they had a symptom and money.
One such location was an office called Medimar. NBC has learned Dr. Kenneth Johnson of Medimar is the same doctor who signed off on at least one of the Grossmont District students. His business was among those targeted and shut down in the police sting.
"It was pretty much you had a short consultation. Come in and filled out a short questionnaire, talk to a couple guys about it, get a prescription and then you'd walk across the hall and get your prescription filled," said Ben Martin, a neighboring tenant to Medimar.
NBC