Colorado 4th-graders sold grandparents’ pot at school, officials say

Several Colorado fourth-graders face disciplinary action for bringing their grandparents’ legally purchased pot to school and apparently selling it to a few classmates, according to school officials.

The pupils, three 10-year-old boys and a 10-year-old girl at Monfort Elementary School in Greeley, took the pot to school Monday for resale on campus, officials said.

The marijuana appears to have been legally purchased by adults -- grandparents in two families -- and no charges were expected to be filed, John Gates, director of safety for Weld County School District 6, told reporters, according to the Associated Press. He said the parents of the students were concerned and working with the school on discipline.

Only one student admitted to trying the drug, a small bite of an edible marijuana product, Gates said. An examination of the child showed no harmful effects, he said.

“This could not have happened had they secured their marijuana,” Gates said of the grandparents, urging adults to take care with the drug, which can be legally purchased in the state for recreational use by adults. “Nothing good’s going to come from having 10-year-olds find it, use it or take it to school.”

In a letter sent home Tuesday, Monfort principal Jennifer Sheldon told parents that because it’s now easier for adults to get marijuana, children potentially have greater access. Denver TV station KDVR posted the letter on its website:

“We urge all parents, grandparents and anyone who cares for children to treat marijuana as you would prescription drugs, alcohol or even firearms. This drug is potentially lethal to children, and should always be kept under lock and key, away from young people.”

The incident is the latest challenge Colorado has faced since legalization of pot for adults began on Jan. 1.

Denver police said a man ate marijuana-infused candy before shooting and killing his wife last week. Her death followed that of a Wyoming college student who ate more than the recommended dose of a marijuana-laced cookie and jumped to his death from a hotel balcony in Denver.

State lawmakers are debating how to increase safety regulations.