Bipartisan Victory: Virginia Advances Bills Protecting Firefighters, Teachers Who Use Medical Cannabis

As the push to legalize recreational cannabis sales in Virginia advances through the state legislature, bills that would make it legal for public-sector employees to use medical marijuana without fear of losing their jobs are garnering support among state legislators as well, reported Daily Press citing Capital News Service.

HB 149, introduced by Del. Dan Helmer (D) and approved in January by House members in a 78–20 vote, builds on a separate measure that Helmer also sponsored several years ago. That measure protected medical cannabis patients, but it failed to grant the same rights to public-sector employees, such as firefighters, police officers and teachers, to name a few.

"The key was we left our brave first responders out of this," Helmer said. "That was never our intent and so this bill is meant to fix that."

Virginia's medical cannabis program allows for the production, sale, and testing of cannabis products with a range from CBD to 10 milligrams of THC per dose.

In the state Senate, a measure from Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D) would do the same for public-sector employees with the exception of law enforcement officers thought they can use cannabis oil, as opposed to cannabis products, as stipulated in Helmer's bill. The state Senate members passed SB 391 in a 30–10 last week.

Both measures are now referred to opposing chambers for consideration.

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