HB 63 CANNABIS SCHOOL USE PREVENTION RESOURCE ACT

Rep Andrea R Reeb

Actions: HPREF [2] not prntd-HRC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 HB 63 mandates the Department of Health to develop a Cannibis education and prevention program through the Cannabis School Use Prevention Act. Assistance is to be provided by the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center. The Act is to be implemented by July 1, 2024. 

 Synopsis: HB63 relates to health by enacting the Cannabis School Use Prevention Act, which requires the Department of Health to develop, maintain, and oversee a cannabis school use prevention resource program. The Department is to promulgate rules.

Analysis: By July 1, 2025, the Department of Health shall develop, maintain, and oversee a cannabis school use prevention resource program for school personnel, including (1) evidence and research-based educational materials pursuant to Section 4 of the Cannabis School Use Prevention Resource Act; and (2) a school juvenile use targeted advertising campaign pursuant to Section 6 of the Cannabis School Use Prevention Resource Act.  

The Department shall ensure that each school board and charter school's governing body has access to the cannabis school use prevention resource program by January 1, 2025. A school and the employees of the school may use the material provided by the Department.
From 2024 through 2029, the Department shall present a report to the Legislative Education Study Committee and the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee before December 31 of each year regarding the amount of: (1) drug assessments conducted during a school year; (2) students that were assessed multiple times; (3) times that a parent or guardian was contacted in response to the student's drug use; (4) times poison control was contacted; (5) students that were at risk of immediate harm: (a) requiring emergency medical transportation; or (b) warranting a referral to an emergency room; and (6) times a school district accessed the cannabis school use prevention resources and whether the school district distributed any materials to students or families. 

The Department shall produce research and evidence based educational materials for use under the Act. Educational materials will identify cannabis, cannabis products, and student impairment caused by unauthorized use of cannabis. 

The Department shall also produce a webpage that is free and provides downloadable materials.

Prior to the 2025-2026 school year, the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center shall provide materials to school personnel on how to: (1) identify cannabis-containing items; (2) recognize student impairment caused by unauthorized use of cannabis; and (3) refer impaired students for medical evaluation and treatment. 

The Department shall collaborate with school boards, governing bodies of charter schools and the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center to ensure that school personnel have access to materials.

The Department shall develop advertisements focused on school personnel, juveniles, parents and guardians as the target demographic.
The Department may implement rules for the requirements of the Act.

The New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center shall provide materials to school personnel pursuant to the Cannabis School Use Prevention Resource Act.

The effective date of the provisions of this Act is July 1, 2024.