DENVER (AP) — Colorado’s Supreme Court has ruled that a medical marijuana patient who was fired after failing a drug test cannot get his job back.
The case has big implications for employers and pot smokers in states that have legalized medical or recreational marijuana. Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational pot in 2012.
Though the Colorado case involves medical marijuana, the court’s decision could also affect how companies treat employees who use the drug recreationally.
Brandon Coats is a quadriplegic who was fired by Dish Network after failing a drug test in 2010. The company agreed that Coats wasn’t high on the job but said it has a zero-tolerance drug policy.
Courts in California, Montana and Washington state also ruled against medical marijuana patients fired for pot use.
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…then off-the-job imbibers of alcohol need to be treated the same.
Uh, guys, I believe it would be SCOTCO? I know headline character limits are onerous, but SCOTUS has “the United States” in there, so it really can’t be applied to a state Supreme Court.
Really little thing: the mini-headline for this refers to the “Colo. SCOTUS.” “SCOTUS” is obviously “Supreme Court of the US,” which is equally obviously not the Colorado Supreme Court. So it’s Colo. SC, or I guess you could try “SCOCO.”
Alcohol is a dangerous drug. It’s a legal product when consumed properly. Does this ruling mean companies can fire people based on drinking liquor? Lately, courts have been injecting themselves into the legislative and initiative process and forcing their will. Courts are also giving companies way too much power over its employees and what they do off the job.
aaaand this is the result of the federal ban remaining in place. That needs to get addressed.