Parents of NJ medical marijuana teen battle her school

The Larc School in Belmawr, where Genny Barbour attends school, and the Maple Shade school district where she ilives have denied her parents request to allow her to consume marijuana oil on campus. She has a severe form of epilepsy. (John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

TRENTON — The parents of a 16-year-old girl with epilepsy and autism are suing for her right to consume homemade cannabis oil at school because it has shown to control her seizures.

The Larc School for children with disabilities in Bellmawr and the Maple Shade school district that sends her there have denied the request, arguing marijuana possession remains a federal crime, and having the oil on campus would violate the drug-free school act. An administrative law judge sided with school officials in January.

Since mid-April, Genny Barbour has attended only half days at Larc, according to her parents, Lora and Roger Barbour, so she may come home and have the midday dose of cannabis oil as her physician recommended.

The Barbours have appealed the judge's ruling, and say if they lose, they intend to take the case to federal court. The school board attorney has asked for guidance from the state Attorney General and prosecutors in Camden and Burlington counties. A spokesman for the Attorney General declined to comment on the matter.

Experts in marijuana policy and law say they believe this is the first case in the nation involving medical marijuana use in a school.

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Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.