KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Teacher Sent Home For Marijuana On Campus
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SALINAS, Calif- On Tuesday afternoon a staff member at Harden Middle School found a backpack in the quad area left unattended. When the bag was picked up, staff noted an odor of marijuana coming from the bag. After the school resource officer was notified, he inspected the bag only to find a small baggie containing loose marijuana along with the smoking pipe in the backpack.
The staff reviewed campus video cameras and found the bag did not belong to a student, but rather a substitute teacher. Harry Williams, 70, had set his bag down earlier in the day and had forgotten it when he left.
Williams was questioned and admitted the marijuana belonged to him and said he had a note from his doctor allowing him to have the drug for medical reasons. He said he forgot it was in his bag when he came to school. Williams was cited of possession of marijuana on school grounds. California medical marijuana law states in part "accommodation of any medical use of marijuana on the property or premises of any place of employment or during hours of employment, any correctional facility or within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school unless the medical use occurs within a residence is prohibited." Williams was sent home after this incident.
