Bill aims to prevent employers from discriminating against medical marijuana patients

By Jordan Mazza

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — William Cotton says he was fired for using marijuana to treat his multiple sclerosis.

“I went through four hearings at the Department of Employment, and it was nerve–wracking,” he said.

Cotton says he’s lucky his wife’s job could help support the family, including their two children.

“It really shows me how the law needs to be evolved to help patients protect their medical marijuana rights.”

The house judiciary committee Tuesday heard testimony on a bill, sponsored by Representative Scott Slater, that would prevent employers from discriminating against individuals for medical marijuana use.

“It’s no different from any other medication,” said Steve Brown of the Rhode Island ACLU. “An employer would not be allowed to terminate an employee because they were taking a prescription drug for some illness or disease.”

The 2017 Rhode Island court decision in Callaghan v. Darlington Fabrics found an employer’s refusal to hire a medical marijuana user violated state law.

This bill would clarify the language of that decision.

“They’re not protected if they show up impaired on the job,” Brown said. “Nothing in this bill would do that either. But it is a recognition that it’s medical, it’s designed to treat people who have illnesses or diseases, and therefore they should not face loss of a job.”

This bill would not protect employees on federal contracts or those who use marijuana recreationally.

No one testified against the bill Tuesday night.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019