“My member’s have reported that they are relying less on alcohol, they sleep more at home, and they see other positive effects such as a reduction in joint and muscle pain, without having to take opioid prescriptions.”
By Michael Chun, Capital News Service
The state legislature has introduced bills that allow employees of the public sector to use medical marijuana without losing their job.
The HB 149 introduced by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax County, extends the rights of state employees that are already in place in the private sector. The bill was passed with bipartisan approval on a vote of 78-20.
Helmer sponsored HB 1862 in 2003 to protect patients who were approved for medical marijuana use. Helmer stated that the bill was “intentionally” not protecting public sector employees.
Helmer stated that the key to this was leaving out our brave first responders. This bill was meant to correct that.
The current state limit is 10 milligrams per dose of THC. A cannabis product can be anything between CBD and this amount, provided it is produced, tested, sold, and sold through the medical marijuana program.
Helmer’s bill would protect public-sector workers such as teachers, firefighters and police officers if it is approved that they use cannabis products for treating conditions or diseases.
SB 391, introduced by Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax County, offers protection for public sector workers, except law enforcement officers. The bill was passed by the Senate 30-10.
The bill Peksarsky introduces extends protection to the use of cannabis oil.
Helmer’s Bill was changed from “cannabis oils” to “cannabis Products,” which he says is intended to “refer a number of medically-recommended products that use cannabis as a basis.”
According to the impact statement, any increase in inquiries, or modifications made to existing policies, would be handled by either the Department of Labor and Industry, or the Department of Human Resource Management.
Joe Mirabile, representing Virginia’s Professional Firefighters (VFPF), testified during the committee hearing in support of Helmer’s bill.
Mirabile stated that “my members are reporting that they are relying less on alcohol, they sleep more at home, and they see other positive effects such as a reduction in joint and muscle pain, without having to take opioid prescriptions.”
Only the medical cannabis program is a legal way to purchase cannabis within the state. After an initial consultation, state-approved practitioners can issue a certificate.
Dawn Adams, a former delegate from the Richmond area and nurse practitioner, runs a medical cannabis clinic. Adams says that cannabis products are used to treat PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disorders associated with employee roles.
Adams explained that alcohol and over-the-counter drugs can have long-lasting effects when compared with a short-acting cannabis medicine. For many workers, this was the only choice.
Adams stated that “Many people had to go through a hundred hoops before they were even considered for medical cannabis.” “In fact, it could be a good alternative to many health factors that are part of their lives.”
Employers could still prohibit cannabis use on the job, and can take action against employees whose performance is affected by cannabis use. The proposed bill makes no changes to the law for federal employees.
There is currently no rapid test that can be used to pinpoint the exact time period of cannabis consumption to determine whether an employee was impaired while at work. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have developed a THC breathalyzer that can help law enforcement distinguish between THC use and CBD usage.
Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice is a group that advocates for a fair recreational cannabis market in the state.
Higgs said that state employees should have access to cannabis during their free time.
The group is in favor of Helmer’s Bill.
Higgs-Wise wrote in a letter of support for Helmer, “We are aware of the challenges that public employees face and we are happy to support this initiative to extend wellness to all of our employees.”
In Virginia, there are about 1,000 medical cannabis practitioners. According to the managing agency Cannabis Control Authority, 98,396 people used their written certification to obtain medical cannabis in 2023.
The bills are now on their way to the other chamber.
This story was originally published by Capital News Service. It is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Media and Culture. The program trains students to cover the news for various media outlets throughout Virginia.
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The article Virginia House and Senate Pass bills to protect public workers from being fired for medical marijuana first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
