Protect Your Job with a Virginia MMJ Card

As the legalization of medical marijuana continues to sweep across the United States, many states have implemented laws that protect employees who hold a medical marijuana certificate. Virginia is one of the states that has recently legalized medical marijuana, and it’s important for employees to understand that this new law provides certain employment protections for Virginia patients who have a medical marijuana card. Knowing the details may help you protect your job with a Virginia medical marijuana card.

On July 1, 2021, Virginia’s medical marijuana program went into effect, allowing individuals with certain medical conditions to obtain a medical marijuana certificate. This certificate allows individuals to purchase medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries in the state. However, many individuals who hold a medical marijuana certificate are concerned about their employment status and whether they can be terminated or discriminated against for using medical marijuana.

Fortunately, Virginia’s medical marijuana law includes employment protections for individuals who hold a medical marijuana certificate. Specifically, the law prohibits employers from taking adverse employment actions against employees who hold a medical marijuana certificate and use medical marijuana outside of the workplace.

Under the law, an adverse employment action is defined as “refusing to hire or employ, barring or discharging from employment, or discriminating against an individual with respect to compensation or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.” This means that an employer cannot refuse to hire an individual solely because they hold a medical marijuana certificate or terminate an employee solely because they use medical marijuana outside of the workplace. That’s right, you can actually protect your job with a Virginia medical marijuana card.

However, it’s important to note that Virginia’s medical marijuana law does not require employers to accommodate an employee’s use of medical marijuana while at work. Employers are still allowed to maintain a drug-free workplace and prohibit employees from using medical marijuana while on the job. Additionally, if an employee’s use of medical marijuana outside of the workplace impairs their ability to perform their job duties, an employer may be able to take adverse employment action. So, there are some limitations on how you can protect your job with a Virginia medical marijuana card.

While Virginia’s medical marijuana law provides some employment protections for individuals who hold a medical marijuana certificate, it’s also important to remember that the law is still relatively new and untested. It’s possible that there will be legal challenges to the law in the future, and the employment protections provided by the law could be subject to change.

In the meantime, individuals who hold a medical marijuana certificate should be aware of their rights and the limitations of the law. Employers should also be aware of the law and ensure that their employment policies and practices comply with the law’s requirements.

Overall, Virginia’s medical marijuana law provides some much-needed employment protections for individuals who use medical marijuana to treat their medical conditions. While the law is not perfect, and there are still some limitations, it’s a step in the right direction toward ensuring that individuals with medical conditions are not discriminated against in the workplace. As more states continue to legalize medical marijuana, it’s likely that we’ll see more employment protections for individuals who hold a medical marijuana certificate.