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Medical Marijuana Wrongful Termination

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 -
Genova Burns LLC

To Be Blunt: The NJLAD Does Not Bar Arbitration of Medical Marijuana User’s Employment Claims

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On February 15, 2022, the New Jersey Appellate Division upheld a trial court Order compelling arbitration of discrimination and wrongful termination claims brought by a former employee who was terminated for testing positive...more

Littler

Pennsylvania Appeals Court Determines State’s Medical Marijuana Act Includes a Private Right of Action for Employees

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In a case of first impression, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania has determined that employees can sue their employers for claims under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (MMA).  Palmiter v. Commonwealth Health Sys.,...more

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

Pennsylvania Court Holds Medical Marijuana Act Allows Employees to Sue for Discrimination

On August 5, 2021, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania held for the first time that Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act (MMA) allows an employee to sue his or her employer for taking an adverse employment action based on the...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Pennsylvania Appellate Court Affirms State Medical Marijuana Law Provides Private Right Of Action

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The Pennsylvania Superior Court has found, as a matter of first impression, that medical marijuana users may maintain a private action under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (MMA), including a wrongful discharge action....more

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

Failed Drug Test Not Enough to Dismiss Claim of Disability Discrimination in New Jersey

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Employers may need to reevaluate their response to an employee’s failed drug test following a recent decision from the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A certified medical marijuana user was terminated after testing positive...more

Littler

Pennsylvania Court Finds Private Right of Action for Employees Under State’s Medical Marijuana Law

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Following the lead of other courts around the country, a Pennsylvania state court has held that employees can bring lawsuits against their employers asserting claims under the state’s medical marijuana law. Palmiter v....more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Pennsylvania Court Allows Medical Pot User To Proceed With Wrongful Termination Suit

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In a recent decision, Palmiter v. Commonwealth Health Systems, the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas held that: (a) the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (“MMA”) creates a private right of action for wrongful termination;...more

Cozen O'Connor

Court Finds Implied Wrongful Discharge Cause of Action Under PA Medical Marijuana Act

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In a recent decision, a Pennsylvania county court ruled that the state’s Medical Marijuana Act creates a private cause of action for employees who have been terminated for their off-duty use of prescribed medical...more

McDermott Will & Emery

Courts Are Siding with Employees Who Use Medical Marijuana

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Marijuana, a Schedule 1 drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), is the most commonly detected illicit drug in employment drug testing. According to Quest Diagnostics, in 2018, approximately 3% of urine-based...more

Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.

Marijuana in the Workplace

Many of our employer clients have contacted us with questions about new laws and court decisions on medical and recreational marijuana, and what it all means for business managers charged with hiring, managing, and...more

Snell & Wilmer

Let’s Get Out of the Weeds; Understanding Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Laws

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Can an employer terminate the employment of a medical marijuana cardholder who tests positive after a work-related injury? A recent decision tackles this question and represents a first look at the legal issues under...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

It’s High Time to Update Your Marijuana Policies

The legalization of recreational use of marijuana in several states, including California, has left many employment policies vague and confused. This article offers insights to questions every employer should be asking in...more

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

New Jersey Bills to Provide Employment Protections for Medical Marijuana Patients Introduced

On January 18, 2010, the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (NJCUMMA) was signed into law. While the NJCUMMA explicitly states that it does not require employers to accommodate a qualified patient’s use of...more

Genova Burns LLC

District of New Jersey Ruling Leaves Employers High and Dry as to Guidance on Dealing with Medical Marijuana Users

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On February 21, 2017, the District of New Jersey dismissed a wrongful termination lawsuit by a medical marijuana user who claimed that the employer failed to accommodate his disability in violation of the New Jersey Law...more

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Employment Law - August 2016

Arbitrator or Judge? California Supreme Court Weighs in - Why it matters - Yet again, the California Supreme Court considered arbitration in the context of an employment agreement, this time reflecting on whether a...more

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Legal Trends: Employment & Labour

In the past year, the media and governments across Canada have paid greater attention to workplace discrimination and harassment. In Ontario, for example, the government introduced Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Colorado Supreme Court Upholds Firing For Medical Marijuana Use

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In a closely watched case, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that an employer could lawfully terminate an employee who tested positive for marijuana in a random drug test, even though the employee’s use of marijuana was...more

Mintz - Employment, Labor & Benefits...

Rocky Mountain High Part II: Colorado’s Highest Court Approves Employer’s Stance that Employee Toke is No Joke

Last week the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that an employer can fire an employee for use of medical marijuana away from the workplace. The case is Coats v. Dish Network, No. 13SC394 (June 15, 2015). The plaintiff is a...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Colorado Supreme Court Plays Debbie Downer for Medical Pot Users

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The wait is finally over. Employers in Colorado – and in other states with similar lifestyle laws – can breathe a sigh of relief following a recent ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court. In Coats v. Dish Network, a...more

Proskauer - Law and the Workplace

Colorado Supreme Court Okays Discharge of Medical Marijuana-Using Employee

Colorado, like some other states including New York, has a law that generally prohibits an employer from discharging an employee for engaging in lawful activities outside of work. Earlier this week, in Coats v. Dish Network,...more

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

It’s Not All “High” in the Rockies – Colorado Supreme Court Finds That Employees Can Be Fired For Use of Medical Marijuana

As more states legalize medical marijuana and consider legalization of “recreational” marijuana, many employers have wrestled with the question of whether they can still maintain a drug free workplace or must allow employees...more

Holland & Knight LLP

Colorado Supreme Court Upholds Termination of Medical Marijuana User - A Trend Is Beginning for Courts to Permit Employers to...

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In Coats v. Dish Network, the Colorado Supreme Court held that the state’s “lawful activities” statute did not limit the right of an employer to discharge an employee for the employee’s lawful (under Colorado law) use of...more

Miller Canfield

Colorado High Court Finds Smoking Medical Marijuana a Drag on Employment

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The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that an employee who uses medicinal marijuana at home during non-working hours can be discharged for failing a drug test. While application may be limited by its heavy reliance on Colorado...more

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Colorado Supreme Court Beats the Reefer

In a closely watched case involving legal protections for medical marijuana users, the Colorado Supreme Court decided yesterday that the state’s “lawful products” statute does not apply to activities that violate federal law....more

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Colorado Supreme Court Confirms Medical Marijuana Use Is Not Protected by Colorado's Lawful Activities Statute

On June 15, 2015, in a highly anticipated but not unexpected decision, the Colorado Supreme Court held that medical marijuana use, which is unlawful under federal law, is not a “lawful activity” under Colorado’s lawful...more

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