California Measure Would Prevent Workplace Discrimination Against Medical Marijuana Patients

Our Los Angeles medical marijuana attorneys applaud the move by state lawmakers to pass legislation making it illegal for an employee to be filed for using medical marijuana.
target=”_blank” The Patch reports the measure passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, making it one step closer to becoming law. Workplace discrimination against medical marijuana users is just another way the opposition seeks to subvert the state’s medical marijuana law. Senate Bill 129 is sponsored by Americans for Safe Access and is sponsored by Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

“When Californians approved the compassionate use of cannabis, they never intended for it to apply only to unemployed people,” Leno said. “With unemployment at record-high rates, we should be doing everything we can to keep productive and responsible members of the workforce in their jobs.”

The measure is necessary to protect the rights of medical marijuana patients in the wake of a 2008 California Supreme Court ruling that permits employers to fire workers or to refuse to hire workers who have a physician’s recommendation for medical marijuana.

A similar measure passed through the legislature in 2008 but was vetoed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

While the bill aims to prevent workplace discrimination against medical marijuana patients, it does prohibit on-the-job impairment and workplace consumption. It also exempts certain workers, including health care workers, school bus drivers and operators of heavy equipment.

The CANNABIS LAW GROUP is a law firm dedicated to the rights of medical marijuana patients, collectives and growers and has built a reputation for high-powered, aggressive legal representation of the medical marijuana industry in Southern California. Call 949-375-4734 for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights.