Fourth Graders Selling Pot in Colorado: Kids Suspended, Adults Warned to 'Keep it Secure'
Fourth graders selling pot at a Colorado elementary were caught Monday, and officials said the boy got the marijuana from his relatives. The 10-year-old boy and his three buyers don't face criminal charges, but all four involved in the transaction have been suspended, school officials said.
The fourth-grader selling pot at brought it to Monfort Elementary School in Greeley, Colorado. The 10-year-old took a small amount of the plant, which is legalized only for adult use in the state since Jan. 1, and sold it to three other children. The child swiped the marijuana from his grandparents, school spokeswoman Teresa Myers told CNN.
"He sold it to three other fourth graders on the school playground, which resulted in a profit to the young man of $11," John Gates, the director of safety and security for the Greeley-Evans School District, told ABC News.
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One of the boys he sold it to had no money, but struck up a deal to pay him back. The next day, the boy brought in a marijuana-laced candy bar to give to the boy who sold him weed the previous day. Another child witnessed the boy taking a bite of the edible on the playground and informed administrators.
Fortunately, none of the children were harmed by the marijuana or the pot-laced candy bar, but Gates says that's no excuse for adults for being irresponsible. Although police were initially called, the students were just suspended for a "significant" time, officials said.
"We hope to send a good message here without ruining anybody's lives. The message we really want to get out here to the adults is, 'for crying out loud, secure it,'" Gates explained. Some parents were upset at the incident, and the school sent out a letter stressing the importance of keeping marijuana away from children.
"We urge all parents, grandparents and anyone who cares for children to treat marijuana as you would prescription drugs, alcohol or even firearms," the letter, written by Monfort Elementary School Principal Jennifer Sheldon, said. "This drug is potentially lethal to children, and should always be kept under lock and key, away from young people."
