Medical Marijuana Use Bill Filed

Many federal workers who benefit from the legal medical marijuana use fear repercussions and job loss. Some have even been fired for marijuana consumption.

However, a new bill filed with Congress in March 2019 hopes to offer employment protection to these federal employees.

Here’s what you need to know about the proposed the Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act.

What is the Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act?

The Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act is a bill filed by Reps. Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Don Young (R-AK), along with eight other cosponsors.

The act aims to protect employment and prevent adverse actions against federal workers who utilize medical marijuana use in accordance with state laws.

How Can this Proposed Legislation Protect Employment and Medical Marijuana Use?

Under current law, employees can be terminated or rendered ineligible for employment if they test positive for cannabis.

With this proposed legislation, women and men who legally consume marijuana would no longer have to choose between receiving an effective form of medical care and remaining gainfully employed.

This conflict is especially prevalent among military veterans who make up approximately 1/3 of the federal workforce.

For many of these servicemen and women, medical marijuana offers relief from chronic pain and PTSD and serves as a much safer alternative to dangerous and addictive opioids.

How is This Bill Different from Previous Version?

The Fairness in Federal Drug Testing Under State Laws Act is different from legislation introduced by Crist during the 115th Congress in several ways.

To start, this bill offers employment protection to workers that use marijuana in compliance with state laws as well as policies of Indian tribes and lands under free association with the U.S.

However, it does not preclude probable cause drug testing if an employee is believed to be impaired on the job or nor does it apply to individuals seeking or in positions with top secret security clearance.

Finally, this version of the bill states that individuals testing positive for THC metabolites would be safe from adverse personnel action. This language was added to clarify that workers aren’t necessarily protected from criminal punishments, as marijuana remains illegal according to federal law.

To learn more about the benefits of legally consuming marijuana, please contact or visit Dispensary Works today.