A DPS flyer said that students who come to school smelling like marijuana or other "distracting" odors will be instructed to call home for a change of clothes, or be picked up to change.

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Ahead of the new school year, Decatur Public Schools updated its district policies to emphasize banning marijuana and other "offensive" odors in its facilities. 

A DPS flyer said that students who come to school smelling like marijuana or other "distracting" odors will be instructed to call home for a change of clothes, or be picked up to change.

Visitors who smell of marijuana or other "distracting" odors will be asked to leave the premises. 

The district justified the changes by saying that marijuana has an odor that causes/triggers allergic reactions, affecting indoor air quality and putting others at risk of getting sick. 

The district added that marijuana potentially has cancer-causing chemicals that put students, staff and others at risk. 

That policy went into effect July 1. 

According to the DPS 61 student code of conduct and parent handbook, those who use marijuana for medical purposes must provide a medical card upon request.  

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