A state lawmaker this year is trying to clarify that public employers cannot discriminate against patient cardholders.
Advocates say they are too often hearing stories like these — about patients who are seeking relief for their ailments through Utah’s medical cannabis program but are discovering that legal doesn’t always mean free of consequence. Thatcher’s legislation would help close one of the loopholes that have enabled discrimination against cannabis users, Hennessy says. But, she also is growing frustrated that many in power, from judges to government employers, still seem confused about state marijuana laws.
The officer ultimately discovered the cannabis, which was meant to be a six-month supply for Ralphs and her husband, also a medical marijuana patient. He didn’t believe them when they insisted it was legal, she said, and slapped both of them with drug possession charges. However, unbeknownst to the couple, the Colorado dispensary had tucked a complimentary joint into the couple’s sealed to-go bag, Ralphs said.
Last year, a doctor recommended that he try cannabis, and Coleman received his state-issued medical cannabis card the following day. The lawsuit states that other firefighters faced with the same choice have relinquished their cannabis cards rather than deal with the professional consequences. Thatcher, R-West Valley City, who ran his legislation in response to the conflict, says a public employer should not be allowed to crack down on a worker just for using a particular type of medication or getting a doctor’s recommendation to do so.
She estimates her organization hears from about seven Utahn patients each month who have been rejected from housing, are facing employment consequences or have been cited for their legal possession of medical cannabis. And she suspects there are many others she never hears from. Emery has discontinued all of those other drugs since she started trying medical cannabis, she said. She has energy to work two different jobs, play with her kids and work out again.
For fear the People will do what we do anyway, again Republicans make things worse for themselves too. Just end Prohibition, for Pete’s sake.
It’s time for federal legalization of cannabis. It would be a great benefit if Medicare would cover some of these treatments that would be less costly for all of us.
Why would you ever give the state any inkling about your Cannabis usage? The state will us that info against you. Go black market or take a trip to Wendover. Do not ever trust Utah lawmakers
Remember that the LDS church and GOP legislators watered down the original bill, giving way for this exact thing. The interference has proven incredibly harmful to those that need this medicine. We need substantial improvements to this law. Way more than they're doing.
So ridiculous
You can't even follow your doctors treatment without your job being at risk.