PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Fall 2019

24  • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Fall 2019 EDUCATION & TRAINING Medical Marijuana and the Workplace THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED by Drug Free Workplace PA and based on industry best practices. Drug Free Workplace PA does not offer legal advice. If you are unsure of a procedure or policy, please check with an attorney who specializes in employment law. Drug Free Workplace PA, drugfreeworkplacepa.org , offers a range of free services to employers interested in establishing a drug-free workplace through policies and training. FEDERAL LAW & MARIJUANA Under federal law, marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 drug and has been since 1970. Essentially this classification means that marijuana is not recognized as having any medical value. Even though individual states have legalized medical marijuana, the federal law remains intact and unchanged. PENNSYLVANIA AND ACT 16: MEDICAL MARIJUANA The federal government cannot force states to criminalize conduct that is illegal under federal law, nor can the federal government force state and local police to enforce federal laws. Must an employer accommodate an employee or applicant who uses medical marijuana? Yes. Under Act 16, employees and applicants who also are doctor-recommended medical marijuana patients are protected. An employer may not fire or refuse to hire someone because they have certified medical marijuana status. In this case, medical marijuana should be treated the same as an employee or applicant having a valid prescription for any other type of mind-altering drug. Not accommodating a card-carrying medical marijuana person could ultimately cause employer discrimination- based litigation. Are there exceptions to the accommodation of employees who are medical marijuana patients in the workplace? Absolutely. If your business is subject to federal laws or regulations mandating a marijuana-free workplace, continue to abide by those requirements. PA Act 16 does not require employers to violate federal law that prohibits marijuana use by employees. For safety reasons, certain duties and positions are specifically addressed. PA Act 16 strictly states that no one under the influence of medical marijuana may engage in the following job tasks: control of chemicals which require a permit issued by federal or state government agency; control of high voltage electricity; any other public utility employee duties at heights or in confined spaces, such as mining. Does the employer have to accommodate the use of medical marijuana in the workplace? No. PA Act 16 also clearly states that an employer is not required to accommodate the use of medical marijuana on company property or any premise considered to be part of the workplace. Does the employer have to accommodate an employee who is under the influence of medical marijuana at the workplace? Yes and no. An employee may be prohibited by an employer from performing any task which the employer deems life threatening—to either the individual employee or any persons in the employer’s workplace—while under the influence of medical marijuana. This also applies to any duty which could result in a public health or safety risk while under the influence of medical marijuana. A REFERENCE GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS