As both a special education teacher in the Bronx and a law student at Pace University, I have seen firsthand how young people, especially those from marginalized communities, are often punished rather than supported. Too many times I have watched bright, creative students get pulled into the criminal justice system over something as minor as cannabis use. What begins as a coping mechanism for anxiety, trauma, or instability can quickly turn into suspensions, juvenile records, and a lifelong stigma that limits opportunity.

Many students turn to cannabis not out of rebellion but out of need. Some are managing stress from unsafe environments, family pressures, or untreated mental health conditions. Yet instead of compassion, they often face zero-tolerance discipline and a justice system that defines any use of cannabis as both misuse and as a crime. This cycle of punishment does nothing to address why they are using cannabis in the first place.

That is why cannabis reform in education is so important. Acceptance begins with legislation. By creating laws that view cannabis use as a public health matter rather than a criminal offense, we can make room for schools and communities to offer real support. Moderation, education, and equitable consequences should replace criminalization. When laws evolve to reflect understanding rather than fear, teachers, parents, and counselors can help students through social-emotional learning, therapy, and mentorship instead of pushing them away.

My internship with NORML is providing me with the chance to advocate for these changes. I am researching policies that focus on education and mental health access instead of punishment, and I am learning how thoughtful legislation can shift the narrative around cannabis entirely. Reforming these outdated systems is not only about legalization, it is about liberation. It is about giving young people the chance to grow, heal, and redefine their futures.

True justice means that no child should carry a criminal label for trying to cope. Through my work with NORML, I hope to help build a world where compassion, not condemnation, guides cannabis policy and where our students receive the support they deserve.