Date of Award

12-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Executive Leadership

First Supervisor

Dr. Anthony P Chiarlitti

Second Supervisor

Dr. Ellen Bergman

Abstract

Parents of children with conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can choose medical marijuana (MM) as a treatment plan for their children. The purpose of this narrative study is to describe parents’ experiences when implementing medical marijuana treatment plans in K-12 schools in New Jersey, Maryland, and Colorado. This study addressed the success and challenges parents faced with the chosen treatment plan. Many schools grapple with allowing the administration of MM to students because of the conflict between federal and state laws. This study identifies the experiences of parents of children prescribed MM as they navigate their chosen treatment plan. This study highlights the positive experiences they have encountered and identifies the barriers parents faced in the implementation of their plans. This study describes the reasons for the selection of a MM treatment plan, the legislation required to implement a school board policy, and the importance of a network of parents who served as a resource to assist with the implementation policy of MM in their child’s schools. The data derived from personal interviews with five parents who chose medical marijuana for their children’s treatment plans. The data identified themes of unsuccessful outcomes with pharmaceutical medicines, parents learning from other parents, school performance, in addition to benefits and challenges of MM policy.

Included in

Education Commons

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