Employers Get Help With Medical Marijuana Law In The Workplace

[bobandtorey]

Northern Michigan business owners got some guidance Wednesday when it comes to the hazy medical marijuana law and the workplace.

 

State law makes it legal for medical marijuana cardholders to use the drug, but it doesn't address company policies.

 

The Employer Training Counsel in Traverse City held a conference to try and clear the air.

 

Many employers have a zero tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol.

 

A downstate attorney who spoke at the conference explained that a recent opinion from a federal judge says that legal users of medical marijuana do not have the right to break company policy.

 

"The court decision provided a lot of guidance and ability for employees now to start thinking about how are we going to react to an applicant or an employee who is involved in medical marijuana," says Don Lawless, Attorney for Barnes & Thornburg in Grand Rapids.

 

Lawless says he expects the state legislature to take up the medical marijuana law at some point

 

But that's unlikely to happen until lawmakers finalize next year's budget.

 

9&10's Ryan Raiche and Photojournalist Jeremy Erickson have the story.

 

http://www.9and10news.com/Category/Story/?id=282679&cID=1