News & Analysis as of

Medical Marijuana Hiring & Firing

Medical Marijuana refers to the use of marijuana to treat or alleviate symptoms of certain illnesses. A growing number of states permit individuals to use marijuana on the recommendation of a physician. Despite... more +
Medical Marijuana refers to the use of marijuana to treat or alleviate symptoms of certain illnesses. A growing number of states permit individuals to use marijuana on the recommendation of a physician. Despite state laws to the contrary, Federal law still prohibits the use or possession of marijuana. The conflict between state and federal law on this issue has created interesting enforcement issues and significant legal hurdles for medical marijuana providers.  less -
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card-Holder Survives Employer’s Motion to Dismiss

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on

A recent opinion from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania serves a win to a medical marijuana card-holder who brought claims against an employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Pennsylvania Medical...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Federal Judge in Pennsylvania Reverses Dismissal of Medical Marijuana Cardholder’s Disability Discrimination Claim

On April 11, 2025, a federal judge for the U.S. Western District of Pennsylvania reversed his recent decision to dismiss a disability discrimination claim from a job applicant with a medical marijuana card who alleged he had...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Pennsylvania Federal Court Follows State Ruling That Medical Marijuana Use Is Not a Disability Under State Law

A Pennsylvania federal court recently ruled that a job applicant who had a job offer rescinded could not allege disability discrimination under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) for medical marijuana use as a matter...more

Snell & Wilmer

Toking the Line: Where Medical Marijuana Meets Employment Law

Snell & Wilmer on

The use of cannabis for medical purposes is legal in 39 states, four out of five permanently inhabited U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Some studies suggest that medical cannabis may help treat various...more

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

The Best of Intentions: State Law Protections for Employee Cannabis Use May Not Protect Them After All

While not enough blogs these days quote Toad the Wet Sprocket lyrics, a recent decision from a federal appellate court holding that a would-be employee can suffer negative employment consequences for cannabis use even when...more

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Drug Test Woes: State Law Protections for Employee Cannabis Use May Not Protect Them After All

The changing landscape of the cannabis industry is keeping employers on their toes nationwide. As more and more states expand the legalization of cannabis products, we are also seeing a trend in the cannabis statutes for...more

Marshall Dennehey

Superior Court Rules that Claims Under Medical Marijuana Act Are Subject to Two-Year Statute of Limitations

Marshall Dennehey on

Washabaugh v. Gaudenzia, Inc., 2024 Pa. Super. 100 (2024) - This case concerned the plaintiff’s claim that she was terminated from employment due to her status as a medical marijuana patient. She filed suit against her...more

Tucker Arensberg, P.C.

New City of Pittsburgh Ordinance Prohibits Drug Testing for Some Prospective and Current Employees Certified to Use Medical...

Tucker Arensberg, P.C. on

Medical marijuana is currently legal in 37 states—including Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2016 when it adopted the Medical Marijuana Act (“the Act”), which legalized...more

Fisher Phillips

SCOTUS Predictions: Cannabis Product Makers Won’t Face Triple Damages Under RICO Law for Driver’s Failed Drug Test

Fisher Phillips on

A commercial truck driver who lost his job after failing a drug test wants to hold cannabis product makers liable under a federal racketeering law – and the case has worked itself all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. The...more

Fisher Phillips

Medical Cannabis Use in Kentucky Workplaces: 3 Employer Takeaways + 5 Steps to Take Now

Fisher Phillips on

After over a year of preparation, Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program is slated to take effect January 1, 2025. While the new law legalizes medical use, the program’s reach is limited. Employees who become registered...more

Littler

Pittsburgh Ordinance Bans Tests for Many Prospective and Current Employees Who Use Medical Marijuana

Littler on

On September 24, 2024, the Pittsburgh City Council passed a new ordinance prohibiting discrimination against an individual’s status as a medical marijuana patient. Mayor Ed Gainey signed the ordinance the same day, making it...more

Fisher Phillips

New Pittsburgh Ordinance Protects Workers Using Medical Cannabis: 4 Steps Employers Can Take Now

Fisher Phillips on

Pittsburgh employers must prepare for new workplace protections for medical cannabis patients due to a new anti-discrimination ordinance that will likely be signed into law. The new rules would prohibit employers from...more

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Senate Proposal Would Weed Out Prior Marijuana Use for Federal Job Applicants

The DOOBIE Act – yes, you read that correctly – could soon become law. While the law isn’t as fun as it might sound to certain cannabis enthusiasts, it would substantially change the hiring practices of the federal government...more

Poyner Spruill LLP

Fourth Circuit Affirms Termination of Employee for Alleged Lawful THC Consumption

Poyner Spruill LLP on

North Carolina employees are increasingly testing positive for illegal marijuana use while contending that they were only using legal hemp-derived products sold over the counter in this State. Some employees assert that these...more

Fisher Phillips

NJ Employer Faces Scrutiny for Failing to Hire Medical Marijuana Patient: 7 Key Compliance Reminders

Fisher Phillips on

A telecom company allegedly violated New Jersey’s anti-discrimination law by refusing to hire a job applicant after he tested positive for THC as a result of medical marijuana use, according to the state’s Attorney General....more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Connecticut Appellate Court Rules Employer Could Discharge Medical Marijuana User Impaired on the Job

On March 19, 2024, the Connecticut Appellate Court upheld an employer’s right to discharge an employee for being impaired on the job from medical marijuana under a state law that provides employment protections for qualified...more

Epstein Becker & Green

Court Clarifies Employers’ Rights Under Connecticut’s Palliative Use of Marijuana Act, Guidance on Drug Testing

Epstein Becker & Green on

In a recent decision affirming summary judgment in favor of defendant Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. (the “Agency”), the Connecticut Appellate Court (decision.pdf) provided employers with useful guidance about...more

Littler

Connecticut Employers Can Terminate Employees Impaired by Medical Marijuana While Working; Appellate Court Also Provides Guidance...

Littler on

In a significant decision about workplace drug use, the Connecticut Appellate Court backed an employer’s right to terminate a worker who was impaired on the job by medical marijuana. The decision also clarified the factual...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Medical Marijuana Usage Is Not Protected Under the ADA, Vermont Federal Court Rules

On February 14, 2024, a judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont dismissed a plaintiff’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) discrimination and failure-to-accommodate case, holding that his medical...more

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Accommodating cannabis: A "how-to" for employers

These steps could help keep you out of trouble. An employee in a safety-sensitive job who has been diagnosed with cancer is selected for a random drug test. The test result comes back positive for TCHA...more

Frantz Ward LLP

The Impact of Ohio’s Legalization of Recreational Marijuana on the BWC’s Drug-Free Safety Program

Frantz Ward LLP on

Frantz Ward’s Labor & Employment Group has previously written about the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s treatment of marijuana in its Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP) following the legalization of medical marijuana in...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

Employer Drug-Testing Policies Must Evolve With State Law

Troutman Pepper Locke on

While many individuals are excited about the proliferation of state laws providing for medical and recreational use of marijuana across the country, inconsistencies in these state laws have made it difficult for employers to...more

Woods Rogers

[Event] Back on Track: 42nd Annual Labor & Employment Seminars - October 27th, Roanoke, VA

Woods Rogers on

Building a better workplace requires endurance and determination. But when you manage people, it’s easy to get off track. Everyone needs a trainer who can help them keep their eyes on the prize: a workplace that is good for...more

Woods Rogers

[Event] Back on Track: 42nd Annual Labor & Employment Seminars - October 26th, Charlottesville, VA

Woods Rogers on

Building a better workplace requires endurance and determination. But when you manage people, it’s easy to get off track. Everyone needs a trainer who can help them keep their eyes on the prize: a workplace that is good for...more

Woods Rogers

[Event] Back on Track: 42nd Annual Labor & Employment Seminars - October 25th, Lynchburg, VA

Woods Rogers on

Building a better workplace requires endurance and determination. But when you manage people, it’s easy to get off track. Everyone needs a trainer who can help them keep their eyes on the prize: a workplace that is good for...more

356 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 15

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide