A recent Iowa court decision highlights the risks to employers who do not strictly comply with all facets of the state’s drug testing law, Iowa Code Section 730.5, which is one of the nation’s most technical drug testing laws. Scott Hampe v. Charles Gabus Motors Inc. d/b/a Toyota of Des Moines et ano., No. 22-1599
Litigation and Other Proceedings
Federal Court Dismisses Disability Discrimination Suit Based on Employee’s CBD Use
By Kathryn J. Russo on
A federal court in Indiana dismissed an employee’s lawsuit after he tested positive for marijuana due to alleged CBD use and claimed that his termination was discriminatory on the basis of a disability. Rocchio v. E&B Paving, LLC, and Int’l Union of Operating Engineers Local 103, Case No. 1:20-cv-00417 (S.D. Indiana March 31, 2022).…
Court Dismisses Lawsuit of CBD User Who Tested Positive For Marijuana
By Kathryn J. Russo on
A federal court in Pennsylvania dismissed the legal claims asserted by a former employee who tested positive for marijuana on a random drug test and who attributed the test result to CBD use. Lehenky v. Toshiba America Energy Systems Corporation, No. 20-cv-4573 (E.D. PA. February 22, 2022).
The employee alleged that in 2018, she…
Use of Opioid Medications By Applicant For Forklift Job Was Not Sufficient to Deny Employment Without Individualized Assessment
By Kathryn J. Russo on
A federal court in Ohio denied summary judgment to both parties where an employer refused to hire an applicant who used opioid medication as a forklift driver. The court held that there were disputed issues of fact as to whether the parties participated in the interactive process in good faith and whether the applicant’s opioid…
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act Did Not Protect Employee Who Was Terminated for Positive Marijuana Test Result
A federal court in Pennsylvania granted an employer’s motion for summary judgment dismissing a former employee’s Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (PMMA) claim because he could not show that his termination was premised solely on his status as a certified user of medical marijuana. Matthew Reynolds v. Willert Mfg. Co., LLC, No. 5:21-cv-01208 (E.D. Pa.…
Court Upholds Termination of Employee Who Used Prescription Medication That Was Prescribed 5 Years Earlier
A federal court in Indiana dismissed the disability discrimination and retaliation claims of a DOT-regulated driver who failed a random drug test due to prescription opioid use, holding that he did not sufficiently adhere to the employer’s policy or DOT regulations when he failed to produce a Safety Concern Letter from the prescribing physician. Ross…
Pennsylvania Appellate Court Affirms State Medical Marijuana Law Provides Private Right Of Action
By Catherine A. Cano on
The Pennsylvania Superior Court has found, as a matter of first impression, that medical marijuana users may maintain a private action under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (MMA), including a wrongful discharge action. See Scranton Quincy Clinic Company, LLC, et al. v. Pamela Palmiter, Case No. 498 MDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 5,…
Failure To State Cost Of Confirmatory Re-Test Violates Iowa Drug Testing Law
By Catherine A. Cano on
An employer’s failure to notify an employee of the cost of a confirmatory re-test of his original drug test specimen is a violation of the Iowa drug testing law. Woods v. Charles Gabus Ford, Inc., Case No. 19-0002 (Iowa June 25, 2021).
The Iowa drug testing statute imposes many requirements on employers, including an…
Loss Of Congressional District Dooms Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana Initiative
By Susan Fahey Desmond on
The Mississippi Supreme Court held on May 14, 2021 that a citizen initiative to legalize medical marijuana violated the Mississippi Constitution. The decision turned on the loss of a congressional district due to the 2000 Census. Butler v. Watson, Case No. 2020-IA-01199-SCT (May 14, 2021).
Background
The Mississippi Constitution allows amendments in two different…
California Court Upholds Employer’s Refusal To Hire Applicant Who Failed Pre-Employment Drug Test Due To Medical Marijuana Use
A federal court in California dismissed the disability discrimination claims of a job applicant who failed a pre-employment drug test due to medical marijuana use, holding that he did not sufficiently prove that he was disabled. More specifically, the court concluded that the applicant’s “subjective belief” that he suffered from “chronic back pain” was insufficient…