California Medical Marijuana Employment Rights Bill Approved by Senate Committee

Legislation would prevent discrimination, continue to guard against impairment at the workplace

Sacramento, CA — The State Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-2 today, approving a bill that would protect medical marijuana patients from discrimination at the workplace. Senate Bill 129, introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) in January is an attempt to clarify the legislative intent of the state’s Medical Marijuana Program Act passed in 2003. While clearly establishing a patient’s right to work, SB 129 continues to prohibit on-the-job impairment. The bill now moves to the senate floor for an as-of-yet unscheduled vote.

“When Californians approved the compassionate use of cannabis, they never intended for it to apply only to unemployed people,” said Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). “With unemployment at record-high rates, we should be doing everything we can to keep productive and responsible members of the workforce in their jobs.”