Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saw this interesting article on CNN.com about how a man who used medical marijuana lost his job over it , accused of drug use despite its medical qualities and a legal prescription.
Does anyone use medical marijuana? Should employers be allowed to prosecute those users for drug use despite its med...
I also had read this article and I think this will need to be addressed as time goes on and more states accept medical marijuana as a legal medication.
In some ways, this is no different than narcotic pain killers. These types of medication are illegal when sold on the street, but not illegal when used as a properly prescribed medications. Narcotics can make you "high" or make you feel drowsy.
So how do employers, or potential employers feel when someone tests positive for narcotic medications? Would that person lose their job? Would that person not be hired? Or is it our negative view of marijuana that is causing problems?
Certainly, precautions need to be taken, just as precautions would need to be taken for someone taking narcotic medication for pain. Certainly jobs involving driving, heavy equipment or other tasks that would put others at risk if someone is taking these types of medications should be modified to make sure everyone remains safe.
It seems to me that if you would be willing to hire someone taking narcotic medications for pain but would not be willing to hire someone taking medical marijuana there is discrimination toward certain illnesses involved.
Eileen
I wholeheartedly agree with what Eileen stated. I would also like to add that marijuana is grown and used in its natural state, without man made chemicals such as MANY other drugs that are readily available on the market. I do not understand how other 'miracle plants' that have medicinal purposes are viewed upon as a great discovery but as Eileen also stated, the stigma attached to marijuana with its illicit use. I believe as soon as the government get their 'taxation claws' around the use of marijuana, then and only then will the perception of marijuana change. (And don't kid yourself about whether or not the government is already growing 'pot' - of course they are!)
I have been on narcotic medication for the past 20 years, presently on morphine extended release and oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I also signed a contract that I would not use illegal drugs. I am in my early 50's. I have abided by my contract for 98% of the time. Recently I decided to give it a trial run, especially because they could not find a medication to treat my headaches, not that we haven't tried. The results of my trial are: when taking my regular prescribed pain med.s, probably helped pain 50%, but mostly would just drone me out. But when I smoked a little marijuana, I felt almost instant release from my headaches, and instead of droning , spacing, whatever, I had some energy, my mood greatly improved. I was laughing, playing with my dog and cats. They liked me better. I liked me better. I never smoked cigarettes, I don't drink alcohol, but had occasional use of marijuana in my earlier years. Who would you rather be around, a drunk or someone who smokes to relieve their pain and possibly give them a reason to smile or even laugh, and not have a hangover the next day. Someone who does not approve of medicinal mj, should live 1 week with a person who suffers from chronic pain of any kind. they would definitely have a change of heart. naw