MRHS student burned by half-baked pot brownie plot

Date: 1/15/2014

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM – A 15-year-old student at Minnechaug Regional High School was arrested on Jan. 14 for allegedly selling brownies made with marijuana to another student at the school.

School Resource Officer Daniel Menard arrested the student and charged him with distribution of a Class D substance.

“A vice principal at the school contacted School Resource Officer Dan Menard and there was a witness who confirmed seeing one 15-year-old student sell a marijuana brownie to another student,” Wilbraham Police Capt. Timothy Kane told Reminder Publications. “Officer Menard conducted an investigation and it was determined that there was sufficient evidence to arrest and charge one of the students.”

Because of the student’s age, his identity would not be released, Kane added. The student would be arraigned during an upcoming juvenile court session at Palmer District Court.

According to the Controlled Substances Act in Massachusetts General Law (Chapter 94C, Section 32C), a person arrested for distributing a Class D substance could face up to two years in jail, a fine of $500 to $5,000, or both.

“Usually these matters go to Springfield Juvenile Court, but the Palmer District Court has periodic juvenile sessions and he will be arraigned there,” Kane said.

In addition to state laws regarding distribution, the district’s code of conduct prohibits the use or possession of drugs on school property.

Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea said he was aware of the situation, but because it was a criminal and school discipline matter, he could not comment.

In 2012, a media report cited a then-junior who claimed there was a lack of drug enforcement at the school; however, O’Shea said in aletter to parents and the media in response to that report that students in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District utilized marijuana and alcohol at a rate lower than the state average.

He added that in addition to enforcement, the district engages in educational and intervention practices on the subject of substance abuse at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The district's health curriculum includes anti-drug components in grades 3 through 12.