Virginia Firefighters And Public Workers Can Now Use Cannabis Oil Treatments With No Fear Of Punishment

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (GOP) signed an amendment that safeguards state public employees, including teachers and firefighters, from facing disciplinary action for using cannabis oil.

The amendment, House Bill 149, sponsored by Dan I. Helmer and its counterpart, Senate Bill 391, sponsored by Stella G. Pekarsky both seek to address and rectify an oversight in the original legislation. The corrected code regulates sub-article 1 “40.1-27.4. Discipline for employee’s medicinal use of cannabis oil prohibited.” of the Labor and Employment Code of the State.

This change received widespread bipartisan support when it was passed in late February. This modification does not alter the existing laws applicable to federal workers.

Rectifying A Wrong

This update modifies existing rules to prevent employers from discriminating against employees who lawfully use cannabis oil, provided they have a legitimate medical recommendation. This is particularly significant for workers undergoing medical treatment that involves the use of cannabis oil. However, law enforcement officers are exempt from this provision.

Recreational Cannabis Users Still Waiting

The signing of these amendments is significant because Gov. Youngkin, who has an anti-cannabis bias recently vetoed legislation that would have established a legal marketplace for cannabis in Virginia.

The passing of this legislation marks an advance in eradicating discriminatory policies that unjustly affected public and state employees in Virginia. It guarantees that these workers can utilize cannabis oil for medical purposes without the threat of undue disciplinary action, allowing them to continue their treatments with confidence.

On the flip side, recreational cannabis users have yet to receive the same level of acceptance and backing from state policies.

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