Washington: 'Grammas for Ganja' Advocates Marijuana to be Accepted in Workforce

By TONYA MOSLEY, KING 5 News

SEATTLE -- A group called "Grammas For Ganja" is fighting to not only have marijuana legalized but for users to be a part of the workforce without the fear of getting fired.

Jeanne Black-Ferguson, 70, is not your typical grandma. She is front and center in the fight, not for herself, but for her grandkids.

"I think when Washington legalizes cannibas across the board we will become one of the wealthiest states in America!" she said. "If one in five are going to be impacted by the criminal justice system for cannibus which one of my five [grandchildren] will be? I already know two of them that are using the plant!"

Black-Ferguson thinks they should be able to use it and get a job. The issue however, it's not that simple.

"I've gone on four interviews in the past two weeks," says Maggie, who did want to give us her last name.

Maggie uses marijuana to ease the pain of a brain tumor. Her doctor's note means nothing to most employers.

"Three out of the four required a drug test and unfortunately I had to decline," she said.

Employment attorney Tim O'Connell says no other state in the country has given employment provisions for medical marijuana users, Washington should be no exception.

"If we put employers in this position not only are they going to have to deal with someone impaired in the work force, they'd be looking at years of litigation," said O'Connell.

Black-Ferguson is not deterred, and said she'll keep fighting for medical users and others too.

The Washington Supreme Court is now deliberating a case involving a Bremerton woman authorized to use medical marijuana who fired for failing a drug test. The courts decision could define medical marijuana use as a disability which would protect users from being fired.


Source: http://www.king5.com/home/Marijuana-in-The-Workforce-117442338.html