School Policy 5-45.1 sounds airtight: no alcohol, no drugs, no imitation controlled substances. It is the kind of policy every parent wants to believe protects their child’s classroom. But when you read the fine print — and look at what is being sold in gas stations and vape shops a short walk from campus — the real question becomes: what might still be allowed?
Prescription Medication — Only With Strict Oversight
Students can possess prescription or non-prescription medication only if it is properly registered with the school nurse and taken as prescribed. Anything in a pocket or backpack — even Tylenol — is technically out of bounds unless documented.
The gray area? “Supplemental” capsules that claim to be natural focus enhancers or herbal energy pills. They are not prescriptions, they are not tobacco, and they are not (yet) on a controlled-substance list — which means they can slip through policy cracks.
Energy Drinks and Nootropic Beverages
Policy 5-45.1 does not mention caffeine, guarana, taurine, or nootropic mushrooms like Lion’s Mane or Reishi. If the can looks like an energy drink, it is generally permitted — even when it’s packed with stimulants that can cause jitteriness or rapid heart rate.
“Legal” Hemp-Derived Products
Because the policy lists nicotine vapor products but not cannabinoid vaporizers, hemp-derived items labeled “CBD,” “Delta-8,” or “THC-O” may not trigger automatic discipline unless reported. These cannabinoids act on the same brain receptors as THC, but hemp loopholes let them circulate freely.
Unscheduled “Herbal” or “Functional” Products
Substances like Amanita muscaria (muscimol), kratom (mitragynine), and tianeptine are not federally scheduled. Under 5-45.1 they should be treated as “imitation controlled substances,” but enforcement depends on awareness. Without training, “mushroom chews” and “relaxation shots” can look harmless.
The Takeaway: Policy Is Not Prevention
Policies look great on paper, but enforcement depends on education. Administrators can’t ban what they don’t recognize — and lobbyists know how to stay one inch outside the law. Parents shouldn’t wait for new bans; if it’s sold in a vape shop and looks like candy, assume your kids will see it.
“The most dangerous drugs are the ones that hide behind a label that says ‘legal.’” — MAHA
Take Action — Close the School Loopholes
- Ask the board to name the products — kratom, tianeptine, Amanita, Delta-8, THC-O, and “nootropic” shots — explicitly as imitation controlled substances.
- Enforce penalties for youth access — real ID checks and fines for retailers near schools selling paraphernalia or psychoactive “wellness” goods.
- Ban child-friendly marketing — cartoon art, neon candy packaging, and displays near snacks.
- Show examples to decision-makers — bring cans, gummies, and “relaxation shots” to illustrate youth appeal.
- Use MAHA tools — send letters via Form Letters and organize testimony through Take Action.