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State lawmakers have advanced bills that would allow public-sector employees to use medical cannabis without losing their jobs.
HB 149 , introduced by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax County, extends to state public employees rights that already exist in the private sector. The bill passed with bipartisan support on a 78-20 vote.
Helmer sponsored HB 1862 three years ago, to protect patients approved for medical cannabis use. That bill “unintentionally did not protect public-sector employees,” Helmer said.
“The key was we left our brave first responders out of this,” Helmers said. “That was never our intent and so this bill is meant to fix that.”
A cannabis product is anything from CBD up to 10 milligrams of THC per dose, the current state cap, as long as the product is produced, sold and tested through the medical cannabis program.
Public-sector employees such as firefighters, police officers and teachers are among the groups that would be protected under Helmer’s bill if they are approved to use cannabis products to treat conditions or diseases.