When the AMMA (A
rizona Medical Marijuana Act) was first passed, employers could not discriminate against a medical marijuana user based solely on the results of a drug test. However, subsequent amendments to the Bill allowed removed this protection for many workers..
“Since the passage of AMMA, the legislature has passed several laws restricting the rights of patents. In 2011,
HB 2541 allows an employer to fire a patient for workplace impairment solely on the word of a “reliable” colleague or a positive drug test and
HB 2585 added marijuana patient data to the prescription drug monitoring program. In 2012,
HB 2349 prohibited medical cannabis at all schools, vocational schools, and college campuses. In 2015, with
HB 2346 the legislature specified that AMMA
The first link below shows the quoted text and the second link gives the specific provision of that HB 2541..
Arizona Medical Marijuana Laws & Regulations
https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/hb2541h.pdf
HB 2541 provides that an employer may institute a drug testing program and take disciplinary measures, including termination. based upon the results of those tests, if the worker occupies a Safety-Sensitive Position.
According to HB 2541, “Safety-sensitive position" means any job designated by an employer as a safety-sensitive position or any job that includes tasks or duties that the employer in good faith believes could affect the safety or health of the employee performing the task or others.”
HB 2541 specifically provides that such jobs include: “Operating a motor vehicle, other vehicle, equipment, machinery or power tools; repairing, maintaining or monitoring the performance or operation of any equipment, machinery or manufacturing process, the malfunction or disruption of which could result in injury or property damage; performing duties in the residential or commercial premises of a customer, supplier or vendor. preparing or handling food or medicine and working in any occupation regulated pursuant to Title 32 (National Defense).”
Here's how one attorney put it:
“…. First the law exempts employers who would lose federal money or a federal license if they allow an employee to be a medical marijuana patient. However, what exactly this means in practice is undetermined. What about a long-term care facility that accepts Medicare dollars? Further the Arizona legislature in 2011 passed House Bill 2541 which allowed employers to refuse to place any employee who uses medical marijuana in a safety sensitive position. Safety-sensitive jobs are defined as "any job that requires duties or tasks that could affect the safety or health of the employee performing the task or others." This broad definition can be interpreted wildly differently by various employers. For example, it almost certainly covers a driver or crane operator, but what about a teacher or a pharmacist? These are all issues that must be resolved over time by the courts.”
Contributing Attorney > Ryan Hurley > Can an employer fire me for having a medical marijuana card?
CONCLUSION: . According to HB 2541, many employees in Arizona could lose their jobs over a single failed drug test. Whether the employee in the present case prevails will depend on whether or not his job is properly classified as a Safety-Sensitive Position. If he's a forklift operator, he's gone.
PS; Although the quoted attorney gave a fairly good description of the law, he was wrong in suggesting that a pharmacist was not necessarily a Safety-Sensitive Position. HB 2541 clearly says it is.