Delta-8 Causes White Co BOE Discussion On Its Drug Policy

A student disciplinary matter involving a THC substance had some White County School Board members questioning its policy on drugs Thursday.

The substance in question, Delta-8, can be legally purchased if older than 21-years-old in Tennessee. School Board Member Diana Haston said she wanted clarification on how the drug was classified.

“They did a field test, and then ended up charging him with I guess for having a small amount of THC,” Haston said. “But once it moved forward, (…) it wouldn’t hold up, because it was such a small dosage.”

Haston said her question was why the school’s field test found THC while the lab test did not. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said there is not enough information about the drug to classify it. Dronebarger said law enforcement treats the matter as a tobacco citation while the school titles Delta-8 as an drug.

“We saw it as a drug related offense, and we treated it that way,” Dronebarger said. “So, we are just being consistent with what we’ve applied punishments to students that are currently there and have been their previously and this one is being treated this way. Your question is a legal one that I can’t answer.”

Dronebarger said regardless, the substance falls under its zero-tolerance policy. School Board Member Dewayne Howard said he wants to be proactive and review the school’s policy on the emerging Delta-8 drug.

“Legislation has not caught up to this Delta-8 yet,” Howard said. “The question is that we are all asking here is if there is a discrepancy between the maximum penalty the school system is applying.”

School Board Member Bob Young said if there is an issue, the matter should run through the policy committee for review. Dronebarger said he would also ask the school’s attorney for direction.