Latest Alerts
- Colorado Adopts Final Rules to Implement the State’s Privacy Act
(posted: 04/03/2023)The CPA Imposes Requirements On Organizations That Conduct Business In Colorado On March...
- Idaho Extends Unemployment Benefits to Military Spouses and Domestic Violence Victims
(posted: 03/30/2023)The Amendments Provide Some Flexibility To The General Eligibility Criteria On March 21, 2023,...
- Virginia Prohibits Using Social Security Numbers on Employee Badges
(posted: 03/30/2023)Employers Cannot Use Social Security Numbers As Employee Identification Numbers or Include Them...
U.S. District Court: Connecticut Employers May Not Fire or Refuse to Hire Medical Marijuana Patients Regardless of Federal Law
posted: Wednesday, August 16th
Opinion May Impact Workplace Policies and Practices
A U.S. District Court has ruled that Connecticut employers are prohibited from firing or refusing to hire someone who uses marijuana for medicinal purposes, regardless of federal law.
Opinion
According to the opinion, federal law does not prevent enforcement of a Connecticut law that prohibits employers from firing or refusing to hire a medical marijuana patient. An individual who uses medical marijuana in compliance with state law may maintain a cause of action against an employer who refuses to employ him or her for this reason.
Background
Under Connecticut law, an employer is generally prohibited from refusing to hire a person or from discharging, penalizing, or threatening an employee solely because he or she is (among other things) a qualified medical marijuana patient. An employer may, however, prohibit the use of intoxicating substances during work hours or discipline an employee for being under the influence of intoxicating substances during work hours.
Click here to read the opinion. Employers with questions about the decision's impact on workplace policies and practices are advised to contact a knowledgeable employment law attorney.
