School districts in Rhode Island must develop protocols to administer medical marijuana to students with a demonstrated medical condition under a new state regulation.

The change to the regulation was made last month, but school leaders contacted by The Journal were surprised that school nurses had the authority to administer medical marijuana to students.

Students must have a medical marijuana card, a doctor’s signature and a parent’s signature, among other requirements.

There are currently 22 patients younger than 18 who have medical marijuana cards, according to the state Department of Health.

Rhode Island recently approved legalizing recreational marijuana use in Rhode Island. It allows an adult 21 or older to buy and possess up to an ounce of cannabis, with no more than 10 ounces for personal use kept at home. It would also allow Rhode Islanders to grow a small amount of their own cannabis at home once the law takes effect.

But the state Department of Health said the school regulation was not prompted by the change in recreational use.

Medical marijuana was not previously prohibited in schools, according to Health Department spokesman Joseph Wendelken. The revised regulation provides guidance to districts regarding implementation. [Read more at The Providence Journal]