Medical Marijuana Is Now Legal In Alabama But No Restriction On Employers Imposed

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the Darren Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall Compassion Act. This new law legalizes medical marijuana, making Alabama the 37th state, and identifies numerous qualified diseases. However, this new law does not impose any significant obligations on employers.

Employers are still allowed to get drug-free jobs and this law makes it clear that it does not impose any new legal restrictions on employers. Employers are still allowed to order drug tests and may continue to receive premium discounts for employee compensation. You can still refuse to accept employee compensation because it has a positive test or is refused.

Employees may need to inform their employer of possession of a medical marijuana card, and employers won’t need to provide housing or change jobs even if they allow the employee to do so. This law does not provide any right of action for any person related to any adverse acts committed by an employer for the use of medical marijuana.

Finally, this law does not interfere with federal employment regulations. Despite the lack of encroachment on an employer’s right to get a drug-free job, employers may want to review their policies to take into account the introduction of medical marijuana.