Child Abuse and Cannabis Use: How a Prima Facie Standard Mischaracterizes Parental Cannabis Consumption as Child Neglect
A parent’s right to raise their child without state interference is a fundamental, constitutional right. However, the state’s parens patriae power allows the state to occasionally intervene, so long as the state has evidence that the parent is abusive or is unable to adequately provide for their child in a way that creates harm. Drug use, sales, or manufacturing are often included in state statutes under definitions of neglect, but professionals agree that many interventions are inappropriate and ultimately unnecessary.