What school measures can follow cannabis in lessons?

Which measures a school may take in response to cannabis in lessons is set by the school law of the federal state and by the school's regulations. There is therefore no standard list. The Cannabis Act (KCanG) prohibits consumption at schools and within their sight, but it contains no guidance on school responses. Under the Act, consumption at schools and within their sight is also an administrative offence (section 36(1) no. 4 KCanG). This article explains who decides the measures, which bodies are involved and how school, parents and counselling services can work together.

Who decides the measures?

School law is a matter for the federal states. The school laws and ordinances of the states set out which means the school has. In addition comes the school regulations, which each school issues for its daily running. The school management is responsible for implementation and decides on the specific approach in each individual case.

For you as a student, this means that the decisive sources are your school's regulations and the information from the school management. Questions about measures are best directed there.

The ban in lessons and on school grounds

Under section 5(2) no. 1 KCanG, public consumption of cannabis is prohibited at schools and within their sight. The sight ends at a distance of more than 100 metres from the entrance area (section 5(2) sentence 2 KCanG). This provision covers the grounds as well as lessons. Anyone who consumes cannabis in lessons therefore breaches both the consumption ban and the school regulations.

Whether consequences follow depends on the individual case. Schools have their own procedures, and they decide which body is involved. The police may also act, depending on the situation.

Typical steps in everyday school life

When an incident becomes known, most schools follow an orderly procedure. It begins with establishing the facts, moves on to a conversation with those involved and leads to informing the school management. How further bodies are involved depends on the school regulations and state law.

• Record the facts objectively, without evaluating them.
• Inform the school management and agree on the next steps.
• Involve a counselling teacher or school social work where support makes sense.
• Inform parents where school law or the school regulations provide for it.

The role of parents

For minors, parents are the school's contact persons. How they are involved is set by the school under the state rules. When it comes to questions about the school regulations, parents can arrange a conversation with the school management.

Counselling services can mediate in conversations between family and school.

Counselling and prevention are part of it

Measures should not consist of sanctions alone. Counselling and prevention are part of a good way of handling an incident. According to cannabispraevention.de, the risks of cannabis are particularly high for young people. Frequent cannabis use can impair concentration, which can also lead to problems at school and in training.

Schools can involve counselling services such as addiction counselling in their work. Information from cannabispraevention.de and drugcom.de can also serve as a basis for conversations.

Terms: school regulations and school law

The school regulations are a school's internal rules. School law is a matter for the federal states and governs compulsory schooling, disciplinary measures and supervision. A measure is therefore rarely a question of the school regulations alone. The school management decides within the framework of state law.

Conversation before sanction

Whether and how the school holds a conversation is governed by state law and the school regulations. A conversation can clarify whether support is needed. The school can also clarify which rules apply and what consequences are possible if the behaviour is repeated.

Typical mistakes on both sides

Measures without a traceable reason unsettle parents and students. Conversely, silence within the family delays help. An open conversation with the school is usually the better route. A trusted person at school, such as the counselling teacher, can help with this.

When school and parents should act together

After an incident, it makes sense for school and family to coordinate. A joint conversation clarifies what happened and what support is needed. The school names the framework set by school law.

What you can do

• Read the school regulations and ask the school management about the specific rules.
• If you are affected, speak with a trusted person such as the counselling teacher.
• For questions about consequences outside school, ask a specialist criminal lawyer.
• To get started on the topic, drugcom.de is a good starting point, as it provides factual information on effects and risks.

How schools organise prevention is shown in the article on school prevention. What happens after an incident is explained in the article on the steps after an incident. The duties of teachers are described in the article on the reporting duty of teachers.