Virginia Advances Bills for Public Sector Medical Cannabis Use.

Virginia Cannabis Medical use

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Virginia Lawmakers Champion Bills to Protect Public Sector Employees' Medical Cannabis Use

Exciting news from Richmond! State legislators are pushing forward bills to safeguard public sector workers' right to use medical cannabis without risking their jobs.

Del. Dan Helmer's House Bill 149, along with Sen. Stella Pekarsky's Senate Bill 391, have garnered widespread support across party lines.

Helmer, who championed a similar bill three years ago, noticed an oversight that excluded public sector employees from protection under medical cannabis laws. He emphasized the importance of extending these rights to all workers, including first responders.

These bills cover a range of cannabis products, from CBD to those containing up to 10 milligrams of THC per dose, as long as they're part of the regulated medical cannabis program.

Firefighters, police officers, and teachers, among others, stand to benefit from these measures, provided they're approved to use cannabis to manage their health conditions.

While Helmer's bill originally focused on cannabis oil, it was amended to encompass a broader range of cannabis products recommended for medical use.

Any necessary adjustments to existing policies will be accommodated within the resources of relevant departments, according to the bills' impact statements.

Testimonials from professionals like Joe Mirabile of Virginia’s Professional Firefighters highlight the positive effects of medical cannabis, including reduced reliance on alcohol and opioids and relief from pain.

Under current law, medical cannabis can only be purchased through approved state practitioners after a consultation.

Nurse practitioner Dawn Adams, who runs a medical cannabis clinic in Richmond, emphasizes the benefits of cannabis in treating conditions like PTSD and anxiety, which are common among public sector workers.

Employers retain the right to prohibit on-the-job cannabis use and take action against impaired employees, maintaining workplace safety.

While rapid tests for cannabis impairment are still in development, ongoing research aims to provide accurate detection methods.

Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of Marijuana Justice, supports the bills, advocating for the well-being of public sector employees.

With over 1,000 approved medical cannabis practitioners and nearly 100,000 patients benefitting from the state program in 2023, Virginia is making strides in cannabis legislation.

These bills now move to the other chamber, marking a significant step towards protecting the rights and health of public sector workers in the Commonwealth.

 

References:

https://starexponent.com/news/state-regional/bills-advance-to-protect-state-employees-who-access-medical-cannabis/article_926a7a04-cc04-11ee-b1d5-970aadd0638b.html