The Pittsburgh Metropolis Council could take into account new job protections for medical marijuana sufferers. A invoice launched Tuesday would prohibit employers from requiring folks to be examined for marijuana if they’ve a prescription for it.

Metropolis Councilwoman Barb Warwick, who helps the invoice, stated those that are prescribed the drug are sometimes unfairly penalized for taking it.

“Medical marijuana card holders within the metropolis of Pittsburgh have taken time to safe authorized permission from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make use of hashish to deal with a medical situation,” Warwick stated. “Excluding them from job alternatives due to their medical situation is unfair and discriminatory.”

The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act was signed by former Gov. Tom Wolf in 2016: In that very same yr, Pittsburgh decriminalized the possession of a small quantity of marijuana. Dispensaries started promoting merchandise to certified sufferers in 2018. Three years later, the state expanded the listing of medical situations that qualify for the usage of the drug in therapy.

However many employers haven’t up to date their drug testing necessities to accommodate the authorized makes use of of marijuana. Warwick argues that it has created an pointless barrier for sufferers.

“They're nonetheless unable in lots of circumstances to get work due to it,” Warwick stated. “It's discrimination [and] We received't do this for every other medical drawback.”

Learn the complete article https://www.wesa.fm/2024-07-09/pittsburgh-could-shield-medical-marijuana-patients-from-employer-drug-testing

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