The state attorney general’s office Coloradans do not have a right to use marijuana off the job, siding with a satellite television company in its firing of a medical-marijuana patient.
The Colorado Court of Appeals last year upheld Dish Network’s firing of a quadriplegic medical-marijuana patient for a positive drug test. Although there is no allegation that Brandon Coats was stoned at work, the company said it has a zero-tolerance policy on marijuana.
Coats say his off-the-job marijuana use should be protected by Colorado’s Lawful Off-Duty Activities Statute, which prevents companies from firing employees for doing things outside of work – like smoking cigarettes – that are legal. Dish Network argues that marijuana use can’t be considered lawful while cannabis remains illegal federally.
What do you think? Should employees be allowed to smoke pot while not on duty as long as they’re not coming to work stoned? Vote in our poll at right.
