cannabisnews.com: Ore. MMJ Users Ask Lawmakers To Protect Jobs Ore. MMJ Users Ask Lawmakers To Protect Jobs Posted by CN Staff on February 26, 2007 at 20:43:34 PT By Aaron Clark, The Associated Press Source: Associated Press Salem, Ore. -- Medical marijuana advocates pleaded with lawmakers Monday to enact a bill that would prohibit employers from firing them because of their choice of medication."The bottom line is I need a job and I don't make enough through social security and food stamps," said Judy Adamson, a 61-year-old widow, breast cancer survivor and registered medical marijuana user. Last year Adamson was suspended from her job as a driving instructor when she tested positive for cannabis after her former employer ordered her to take a drug test. The new bill comes just a few weeks after a previous bill was introduced that would allow employers to fire employees who fail drug tests — even if they are a state registered medical marijuana user. That bill is currently being considered by the Business, Transportation and Workforce Development committee.Both measures aim to clarify whether an employer in Oregon has the right to terminate someone's job if they fail a drug test but are a registered medical marijuana user.Many employers say they already have that right. "The goal is to make sure that medical marijuana is treated as a possible intoxicating substance," said Jeff Dean, director of government affairs for the Pacific Northwest chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.During the last few weeks everyone from former commercial helicopter pilots to representatives from the construction industry have spoken about the importance of drug-free workplaces. But on Tuesday, lawmakers heard mostly from those who use medical marijuana for a variety of illnesses, and say that doing so helps them maintain their jobs."The nature of the discussion is straightforward," said Leland Berger, an attorney who testified on behalf of medical marijuana users. "It should be treated as any other medication."But employers warn that medical marijuana users pose risks to themselves and other employees, and that drug tests are the surest way to keep out workers who might be impaired by marijuana use. Others say the best way to identify if a worker is impaired — not just by cannabis but by any type of medication or drug — is through computer programs and even video games that can test a person's reflexes and hand-eye coordination.Andrea Meyer, a representative for the American Civil Liberties Union, said drug tests done through a urine analysis provide a false sense of safety because they don't reflect a worker's ability to function."If someone is using heavy equipment, they should be tested using technology that detects impairment," she said. "The issue shouldn't be what medicines they are on; the issue should be whether they are impaired, whatever the cause."Complete Title: Ore. Medical Marijuana Users Ask Lawmakers To Protect Jobs The bill is Senate Bill 423.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Aaron Clark, The Associated Press Published: February 26, 2007Copyright: 2007 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:ACLUhttp://www.aclu.org/Democrats Spar Over Medical Pot for Workers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22688.shtmlBill Would Allow Ore. Employers To Enforce Banhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22610.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by Lucas on February 28, 2007 at 05:07:18 PT and may reduce those risks. > Although driving under the influence of marijuana is not nearly as dangerous as alcohol, it still increases the likelihood of an accident in some users. There are studies that back up this claim. You can check out NORML's website for details.Actually,you got it wrong.. look again:=== http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5450“Overall, we conclude that the weight of the evidence indicates that:1) There is no evidence that consumption of cannabis alone increases the risk of culpability for traffic crash fatalities or injuries for which hospitalization occurs, and may reduce those risks. === [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Truth on February 27, 2007 at 13:39:13 PT some users Some users yes, but not a lot, and certainly there are folks that have their driving ability impared by things like cold remedies, prescription drugs, screaming kids and even lipstick. (We'll leave cell phones and laptops out of it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Taylor121 on February 27, 2007 at 09:53:27 PT Driving and marijuana Although driving under the influence of marijuana is not nearly as dangerous as alcohol, it still increases the likelihood of an accident in some users. There are studies that back up this claim. You can check out NORML's website for details. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by nuevo mexican on February 27, 2007 at 08:04:42 PT People drive cautiously on the herb........ and are safer medicated than when not!Road rage is commonplace today, with bad drivers everywhere giving license to tempers flaring, congestion, cell phone distracted drivers (we're all guilty), and so on.Cannabis will eventually be prescribed for those who are about to drive their cars, as we all know driving while euphoric makes driving a more pleasant experience! And a safer driver!An even bigger smile is guaranteed if you're driving a hybrid, bio-deisel or alternative fuel vehicle! Anybody wondering if the attack on Cheney today was an inside job by the Dub? The headline at Buzzflash got it right, now if everyone thinks this way, we're about to see a big change for the better!From the Front Page of Buzzflash.com!We Repeat: The Only "Surge" is by "Insurgents" Against the Feckless and Chronically Incompetent Cheney and Bush. "A suicide bomber killed and wounded some two dozen people outside the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan on Tuesday during a visit by Vice President Dick Cheney. The Taliban claimed responsibility and said Cheney was the target." Of Course, Considering the Tall Tales Daily Made Up by the Busheviks, This One May be 1) Completely True; 2) True But Embellished to Provide Sympathy to Cheney; or 3) A False Flag Operation. Take Your Pick. We Don't Know the truth. How can you, when you are dealing with chronic liars? 2/27And AL GORE looks like he's Prez already, by default, as Obama looked like the 'ONE' last week, the Hillary/Obama spat made GORE 'the ONE;!~ [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Sam Adams on February 27, 2007 at 07:22:33 PT simple solution Employers should be able to fire anyone who shows up to work while impaired. It's that simple.Urine testing for cannabis metabolites does not correlate to impairment, at all. That is not the purpose of urine testing. Urine testing of workers should be banned immediately. I think the USA is the only country in the entire world that does it.It's easy to see what's going on here. The corporate elite are trying to leverage the 80-year propaganda campaign against cannabis to seize the power to control their employees lives during off-the-clock hours. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by doc james on February 27, 2007 at 07:13:47 PT truth spoken I as well am more cautious while using herb while driving. Overly cautious but not to the point that i may impede traffic whatsoever. I drove a bigtruck for about 7 years and know how hard a job it is to keep from running over 4wheelers as they think the bigtruck can stop on a dime. No tickets here either brother, safedriver endorsement for past 20 years as well as an organ donor. I never go anywhere without a smoke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 27, 2007 at 07:04:47 PT Truth I love Thrasher. That songs says so much about that time in Neil and Crosby, Stills and Nash's relationship. They were lost in crystal canyons. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Taylor121 on February 27, 2007 at 05:40:57 PT New Mexico: MMJ Passes Last Committee!! SANTA FE (AP) - The House Judiciary Committee has overwhelmingly endorsed a bill that would legalize the use of marijuana by some New Mexicans who have debilitating illnesses or are in hospice care.The Judiciary Committee voted 9-2 Monday for the bill.The bill had already passed the Senate. It’s now headed to the House floor for a vote.The medical marijuana bill creates a program in the Department of Health to which doctors could refer their patients.Patients would not be able to grow their own marijuana, but rather would get it through the health department.http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=30681&cat=NMTOPSTORIES [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by The GCW on February 27, 2007 at 04:50:04 PT We got a race. Remember that friendly little competition I mentioned about states trying to be the first to RE-legalize the superplant?Well, consider people in Oregon game!-"Oregon should be the first state to end the stupidity of Prohibition II."-From: US OR: PUB LTE: State should end pot prohibition Feb. 27, 2007http://www.registerguard.com/news/2007/02/26/ed.letters.0226.p1.php?section=opinion(COMING SOON to MAP) -0-It would be nice if the Feds or what ever, end the Luciferous cannabis persecution and extermination, for all states at the same time and end the race, but otherwise,I'm rooting for Colorado.Bring on the CHEER LEADERS. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Truth on February 26, 2007 at 22:21:14 PT Thrasher THRASHER by Neil Young -------- They were hiding behind hay bales, They were planting in the full moon They had given all they had for something new But the light of day was on them, They could see the thrashers coming And the water shone like diamonds in the dew. And I was just getting up, hit the road before it's light Trying to catch an hour on the sun When I saw those thrashers rolling by, Looking more than two lanes wide I was feelin' like my day had just begun. .Where the eagle glides ascending There's an ancient river bending Down the timeless gorge of changes Where sleeplessness awaits I searched out my companions, Who were lost in crystal canyons When the aimless blade of science Slashed the pearly gates. .It was then I knew I'd had enough, Burned my credit card for fuel Headed out to where the pavement turns to sand With a one-way ticket to the land of truth And my suitcase in my hand How I lost my friends I still don't understand. .They had the best selection, They were poisoned with protection There was nothing that they needed, Nothing left to find They were lost in rock formations Or became park bench mutations On the sidewalks and in the stations They were waiting, waiting. .So I got bored and left them there, They were just deadweight to me Better down the road without that load Brings back the time when I was eight or nine I was watchin' my mama's T.V., It was that great Grand Canyon rescue episode. .Where the vulture glides descending On an asphalt highway bending Thru libraries and museums, galaxies and stars Down the windy halls of friendship To the rose clipped by the bullwhip The motel of lost companions Waits with heated pool and bar. .But me I'm not stopping there, Got my own row left to hoe Just another line in the field of time When the thrashers comes, I'll be stuck in the sun Like the dinosaurs in shrines But I'll know the time has come To give what's mine. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Truth on February 26, 2007 at 21:49:28 PT Driving on pot I have a million and a half miles under my belt, I've been a professional driver my entire adult life. Probably at least 75 percent of those miles were driven while I was medicated. I have no accidents in my adult life, not one.My marinol perscription says not to operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinary until I know what the medication does to me. Well, I know. I makes me drive slow and carefull. I litterally care more if I'm medicated.I have no idea while some folks make such a big deal about driving under the influence of cannabis. To compare driving under the influence of alcohol to driving under the influence of cannabis is idiotic at best. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment