While applying for a medical marijuana card for your health condition, you might wonder whether it would affect your job. To keep your job and avoid any kind of negative outcome, you need to know every detail about medical marijuana cards. You should also understand your legal rights and company rules.
Here, we’ll clear things up for you so that you can make the best decision regarding your job and medical marijuana card.
Understanding Medical Marijuana Cards
Patients with health conditions often use medical marijuana cards because of their trust in cannabis. But before you do anything else, understand what medical marijuana cards are and how they may impact your job.
What is a Medical Marijuana Card?
A medical marijuana card is an ID card issued by your state. With this card, you can buy and use cannabis for your health condition. It shows that you are allowed to have medical marijuana from pharmacies or physicians, but it depends on the state.
However, to get a card like this, you need to have a specific illness that is approved by your state’s program. With this card, you can legally buy and use cannabis under state laws.
Legal Status of Medical Marijuana
Federal and state rules are different when it comes to medical marijuana. It is considered a Schedule I drug at the federal level, which is against the law. But there’s a bit of confusion as there are states that have legalized medical marijuana.
We can find medical marijuana programs in more than 30 states. All of these states have specific rules for patients with medical cards. So, to properly experience the benefits of these cards, you need to know about these differences.
Drug Testing Policies and Medical Marijuana
According to many reports, drug testing policies are quite necessary for many employers. Especially when it comes to using medical marijuana, these employers want to know what their employees are up to.
That’s why to avoid any future workplace issues, you should know about the policies:
Common Drug Testing Practices
Employees might have to take pre-employment testing to see whether they’re using any illegal substances. It means they might need to do a urine test before the hiring procedure happens.
There is random drug testing as well, which happens without any prior notice. If an accident happens in the workplace, employees might have to undergo post-accident testing. It will reveal if anyone has used drugs and caused the accident.
How Medical Marijuana Use Affects Drug Test Results
THC is the active ingredient in marijuana which can be detected by drug testing even after a long time of cannabis consumption. However, discovery timing could be anything from a few days to a few weeks. The result depends on the test and how often you use it.
If your test comes out positive, you might experience some major consequences. According to other data, people in Georgia and New Mexico can get fired for a positive drug test even after having a medical marijuana card.
On the other hand, places like Arizona and Delaware protect people who use medical marijuana. So, if you want to deal with this matter, you need to know your company rules and specific state laws.
Disclosure of Medical Marijuana Use to Employers
It’s up to you whether you want to tell your employer about your medical condition along with the medical card. Before you make a smart decision, we advise you to know your rights and the probable impacts.
Should You Tell Your Employer?
There are some important pros and cons you need to consider before you tell the employer about your medical marijuana card.
Pros:
- Being honest will bring your employer’s trust in you.
- May explain positive drug tests.
Cons:
- Risk of discrimination.
- Risk of losing your job
Remember that state laws are different when it comes to medical marijuana use. There are states which will fire you immediately for having a medical marijuana card, while some other states won’t do the same.
Handling Positive Drug Test Results
If your drug test comes out positive, there are some steps that could help you manage your situation at work.
Before giving any explanation, first, give the medical marijuana card and other medical documents to your employer. It shows that you need to use medical marijuana for your health condition. Then, you may discuss any future adjustments regarding your work with the employer.
You need to prepare for any outcome here as some might offer you support and suggestions while others might terminate you from the job.
Conclusion
To sum up, you need to know the state laws and company rules before letting your workplace know about the medical marijuana card. You also have to be prepared for any kind of drug testing.
Knowing your rights will help you make a solid decision. So, you may get legal and medical advice from professionals to protect your rights. Make sure to keep necessary updates and talk to the professionals so that you can keep your job safe.
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FAQs
How do I qualify for a medical marijuana card?
You’ll be qualified for a medical marijuana card once your state approves your diagnosis. So, must have a solid medical condition. A licensed physician will check you and evaluate all the documents before deciding your eligibility for medical marijuana use.
Is medical marijuana legal in all states?
No, medical marijuana is not legal in all states. However, there are many states which have legalized medical marijuana. More than 30 states have medical marijuana programs, while others may only have a few or none at all.
Can I use medical marijuana if I work for the federal government?
Under federal law, using marijuana is still illegal and the Drug-Free Workplace Act applies to government workers. So, even with your health condition, and a medical marijuana card, you might face disciplinary action or termination.
