Medical Marijuana Complaint Against Employer Reveals Legal Gray Area In Mass. Pot Law

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There’s a conflict between state and federal law when it comes to marijuana. Back in 2012, Massachusetts citizens overwhelmingly approved a medical marijuana law, and the state’s first dispensary is expected to open in Salem later this month.

The law allows people with a doctor’s prescription to legally buy and consume the weed — or does it?

Consider the case of Cristina Barbuto, a 34-year-old woman from Brewster. She has a doctor’s certificate for marijuana to help treat her digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease. But last year, she accepted a new marketing job, and on her first day of work, she failed a drug test and was fired.

The company, Advantage Sales and Marketing, says it follows federal law — and under that, marijuana is still illegal. So now Cristina Barbuto is filing suit with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

It’s believed to be the first case of its kind...

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URL: 
http://radioboston.wbur.org/2015/06/01/marijuana-employer