A primary school teacher in South Carolina has been arrested after a student picked cannabis edibles from a classroom reward box. Victoria Farish Weiss, 27, was fired from Rocky Creek Elementary School and charged with possession of a Schedule 1 drug.
Authorities said the incident occurred on 23 September when a student selected a pack of cannabis edibles from a box of sweets used by Weiss to reward pupils. The teacher took the pack away and told the child to choose another item, but the pupil then allegedly grabbed a second pack of edibles.
Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon confirmed that no student consumed any of the products. “We became involved in this case after receiving word a Rocky Creek Elementary School student picked a pack of marijuana edibles out of a box full of candy Weiss used to reward students,” he said. “Detectives confirmed during interviews that Weiss took the pack of edibles from the student and told him to pick something else from the box. The student went back to the box and happened to grab another pack of edibles. No student ate any of the products.”
Edibles, which contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are illegal in the state. Police searched Weiss's home the day after the incident and found packets of edibles similar to the one selected by the student. She was placed on administrative leave before being fired.
Superintendent Greg Little said: “The safety of our students is our top priority. It is unacceptable for a staff member to potentially threaten the wellbeing of a child.” Weiss turned herself in and was held at Lexington County Detention Center.
