The Pittsburgh City Council has given initial approval to an ordinance that would strengthen protections for medical marijuana patients in the workplace.
Introduced by Councilor Barb Warwick, the measure would classify medical marijuana users as a protected group, barring routine drug tests for marijuana as a condition of employment in most fields. Warwick stressed that current testing policies unfairly target medical marijuana patients and that these practices should be considered discriminatory.
Before passing the measure, the council approved an amendment that creates an exemption for the construction industry, filed by Councilmember Anthony Coghill.
The measure also includes other exceptions, allowing drug testing after workplace accidents, when impairment is suspected, or for high-risk jobs, such as those requiring firearms or commercial driving licenses.
Councilmember Warwick opposed Councilmember Coghill’s amendment, but said he still supports the overall bill even with its inclusion.
“This law really underscores and calls out pre-employment drug testing for marijuana, and random drug testing for marijuana, of medical marijuana patients, to be discriminatory,” said Warwick during Wednesday’s council meeting.
If approved, the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations will be responsible for enforcing the law.
