Illinois: County Looks At Adding Medical Cannabis To Drug-Free Workplace Policy

[Jacob Redmond]

Peoria County government is updating its drug-free workplace policy to accommodate medical cannabis. The update strikes a tough balance between Illinois' Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act and the federal law that defines marijuana as an illicit substance.

Under the amended policy individuals who use cannabis for medical purposes must take unpaid medical leave or quit their job.

Tom Howard is a Peoria attorney who's written about the legality of marijuana use. He says the proposed county policy puts an employee, for example one undergoing chemo, locked into a tough decision.

"Between keeping their job and their health care, their health insurance that they're going to need because cancer's expensive to treat, or having the best medical treatment option available to them," Howard said.

Peoria County Assistant State's Attorney Bill Atkins drafted the amendment, which he says is based off similar ones written by private and public organizations in states where marijuana is legal. Atkins didn't specify the names of the entities.

Atkins says Peoria County is upholding the federal law, which classifies marijuana as an illicit drug. Federal law also gives employers the freedom to draft their own drug free workplace policies.

Illinois' Compassionate Use Act that passed in 2013 says employers cannot penalize or discriminate against employees who are registered medical marijuana card holders.

Atkins says under the revised policy, employees who decide to take medical cannabis can't return to work until the drug is completely out of their system. Violations of the county's drug-free workplace policy are grounds for discipline, including being fired.

The board is expected to vote on the amended drug-free workplace policy during its meeting Thursday.

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Full Article: County looks at adding medical cannabis to drug-free workplace policy | Peoria Public Radio
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[Going Down]

This is great news! This is the first time I've heard of anyone doing this. I hope there are others out there doing this.

Dish Network needs to change their thinking when it comes to this. Brandon Coats, a quadriplegic who was fired by Dish Network (DISH) in 2010 after he failed a company drug test for pot. The case went to Colorado's Supreme Court and ruled that employers can fire workers who use marijuana for medical reasons, even though it's legal in that state.

 

[Dave Groomer]

The problem with this is that most of us on MMJ need it continuously, not just for a short period of time so it is never "out" of our systems. More geniuses at work that don't have a clue!!!

 

[Happy Hemper]

I don't see this as good at all. Forcing employees to take unpaid leave or to quit is terrible just as having cannabis as a schedule 1. If one is in need of treatment for cancer etc. and need medicinal cannabis to ease the side effects of treatment they will be without income or insurance. No entity should have the right to stand between a patient and their treatment.

 

[Cannabelle]

A cancer patient requires expensive medical care as is any patient who has a chronic, debilitating illness that only cannabis can successfully treat or cure. What Peoria County is doing is giving employers like themselves an out to fire sick employees who are costing them too much in medical care. This act is not an act of compassion, but an act of inhumane Scrooge fiscal meanness.

Peoria County could stand behind their employees and fight for them if the federal government has an issue with state and county government policies. However, Peoria County Assistant State’s Attorney Bill Atkins drafted policy to toss county employees on medical marijuana to the curb like so much human refuge so that the county would not need to pay for the medical expenses of sick county employees.

Imagine if you are a fire fighter who has contracted cancer or PTSD and are a few years from retiring. You can expect to be fired by Peoria County with no retirement or medical benefits if you are on medically prescribed cannabis.

The Schedule 1 classification of marijuana needs to end so that American citizens can heal and become productive members of society. We are not pieces of trash to be tossed to the curb. We ARE American citizens.

 

[Going Down]

I totally read over the part where they have to take time off or quit their job. This is a step in the wrong direction!!!