Should I fight MMJ discrimination?

I am in a rather unique situation and am currently dealing with the the issue of my mmj use with the organization I am involved with.
I am the caretaker of a camp for a national youth organization. It's an awesome gig; I get to live on forty acres of West Coast forest rent free in exchange for providing security and cutting the grass in the sports field. I have to share it with groups of kids most weekends, but it's all good!
An issue arose last week when someone using the camp caught a whiff of my joint due to my mis-calculation on wind direction! They complained to someone higher and it's now gone to the national office. I explained my situation and offered proof of my ATP, but some just didn't get it until I mentioned discrimination and the 'duty to accommodate' clauses which protect my rights. They backed off and are now very accepting of my choice of medicine. The issue I am struggling with now is that they want me to sign a letter agreeing to keep it away from youth, not smoke it around them, etc. All common sense stuff. The problem is that unless they start requiring all volunteers of the organization to sign the same form agreeing to the same rules for ALL prescriptions, it is discriminatory. Although I have not seen the final draft of the letter yet, from what has been explained, I don't disagree with the rules, but I also don't like being singled out over my choice of medicine. I love it here and would hate to lose it by ruffling feathers, but I shouldn't have to choose to surrender my rights in order keep the position.
What would you do? Should I make a stand and refuse to sign, or just sign it to appease them?

VIANARCHRIS said:

I am in a rather unique situation and am currently dealing with the the issue of my mmj use with the organization I am involved with.
I am the caretaker of a camp for a national youth organization. It's an awesome gig; I get to live on forty acres of West Coast forest rent free in exchange for providing security and cutting the grass in the sports field. I have to share it with groups of kids most weekends, but it's all good!
An issue arose last week when someone using the camp caught a whiff of my joint due to my mis-calculation on wind direction! They complained to someone higher and it's now gone to the national office. I explained my situation and offered proof of my ATP, but some just didn't get it until I mentioned discrimination and the 'duty to accommodate' clauses which protect my rights. They backed off and are now very accepting of my choice of medicine. The issue I am struggling with now is that they want me to sign a letter agreeing to keep it away from youth, not smoke it around them, etc. All common sense stuff. The problem is that unless they start requiring all volunteers of the organization to sign the same form agreeing to the same rules for ALL prescriptions, it is discriminatory. Although I have not seen the final draft of the letter yet, from what has been explained, I don't disagree with the rules, but I also don't like being singled out over my choice of medicine. I love it here and would hate to lose it by ruffling feathers, but I shouldn't have to choose to surrender my rights in order keep the position.
What would you do? Should I make a stand and refuse to sign, or just sign it to appease them?

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If they are accepting and willing to accommodate, what more can you really ask for? The vast majority of employers are not nearly as understanding. They are obviously willing to meet you halfway, I'd call that a win and just agree to their very reasonable requests.....they have to protect their behind as well as they are dealing with the general public.

In this sort of instance, I don't feel that nitpicking every detail is productive for yourself, or for other patients as a whole. We want more employers to recognize MMJ as a legitimate medication and do away with their outdated drug policies.

Damn the man! Maybe it's just my nature but I would fight. I've been facing discrimination in one form or another my whole life and things never change if people don't stand up and say "fuck you" once in a while.

I agree with Devil

i would make the suggestion that others should be held to the same standards, but i wouldn't be a dick about it. sign, smoke, live happily ever after.

I would send the organization a letter explaining, just like you did here, what your position is. You don't have to be pricky about it, but explain that if they ask you they MUST ask everyone or it is discrimination.

WHATFG said:

I would send the organization a letter explaining, just like you did here, what your position is. You don't have to be pricky about it, but explain that if they ask you they MUST ask everyone or it is discrimination.

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This is a unique circumstance as most other prescription drugs are not illegal/controlled substances that are smoked and have a discernible odour that can disturb the visiting public. If we want employers to be reasonable, we need to be reasonable as well.

It will take time for employer drug policies to include provisions for MMJ, but we can't expect it to happen overnight or without conditions. Vianarchris has the opportunity to set a precedent with his employer and pave the way for future patients, I'd say that is a win!

That's the way I am leaning as well...I certainly don't want to ruin a good thing. It's the 'inner-rebel' in me that always wants to prove a point! lol Thanks for putting it into perspective!

Devil Lettuce said:

If they are accepting and willing to accommodate, what more can you really ask for? The vast majority of employers are not nearly as understanding. They are obviously willing to meet you halfway, I'd call that a win and just agree to their very reasonable requests.....they have to protect their behind as well as they are dealing with the general public.

In this sort of instance, I don't feel that nitpicking every detail is productive for yourself, or for other patients as a whole. We want more employers to recognize MMJ as a legitimate medication and do away with their outdated drug policies.

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VIANARCHRIS said:

I am in a rather unique situation and am currently dealing with the the issue of my mmj use with the organization I am involved with.
I am the caretaker of a camp for a national youth organization. It's an awesome gig; I get to live on forty acres of West Coast forest rent free in exchange for providing security and cutting the grass in the sports field. I have to share it with groups of kids most weekends, but it's all good!
An issue arose last week when someone using the camp caught a whiff of my joint due to my mis-calculation on wind direction! They complained to someone higher and it's now gone to the national office. I explained my situation and offered proof of my ATP, but some just didn't get it until I mentioned discrimination and the 'duty to accommodate' clauses which protect my rights. They backed off and are now very accepting of my choice of medicine. The issue I am struggling with now is that they want me to sign a letter agreeing to keep it away from youth, not smoke it around them, etc. All common sense stuff. The problem is that unless they start requiring all volunteers of the organization to sign the same form agreeing to the same rules for ALL prescriptions, it is discriminatory. Although I have not seen the final draft of the letter yet, from what has been explained, I don't disagree with the rules, but I also don't like being singled out over my choice of medicine. I love it here and would hate to lose it by ruffling feathers, but I shouldn't have to choose to surrender my rights in order keep the position.
What would you do? Should I make a stand and refuse to sign, or just sign it to appease them?

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It sounds to me as though you have already fought it and won. You have a job you enjoy and now they are allowing you to smoke mmj as long as you just don't do it around the kids. In my opinion, if that is all they are honestly putting in the form with no other agenda, then I see no reason to fight them on this. Yes mmj is a medicine, but you can't put it in the same category as somebody swallowing medication in pill form or some other form. Do you know if they are allowing you to smoke on the weekends (when the kids are there) as long as it is away from their proximity? Or are they disallowing you from smoking anywhere as long as the kids are there?

I think you should do whatever you feel is right, just don't take anything for granted. Just make sure you read every word on that form to know what you are signing. It probably is just to protect them. This is just my two cents. Hope this helps in any way with your decision.

It does not take much to make your MMJ world turn up side down....usually a misunderstanding
from someone being nosey....or a Leo who smells it or stumbles across your garden...and becomes a pitbull...
sounds like your employer is trying to find a way.. to make it work....
Though I think you probably, could let it slide and things would calm down fast...like devil said...
its one of those pick your battles decisions.....
There are bound to be other times something similar happens...and you will be put on the spot...or slammed up against a car and patted down....
When I was first approved....
I went directly to my biggest customers and told them immediately that I would be medicating...with MMJ and not one of them had a problem with it....
and when I visit their businesses, to do work out of their office for the day.. or something .... they have always made sure I have an area to medicate at...
I really can't ask for a better understanding than that....

[QUOTE="-Dodge-, post: 10566333, member: 876536 Do you know if they are allowing you to smoke on the weekends (when the kids are there) as long as it is away from their proximity? Or are they disallowing you from smoking anywhere as long as the kids are there?

I think you should do whatever you feel is right, just don't take anything for granted. Just make sure you read every word on that form to know what you are signing. It probably is just to protect them. This is just my two cents. Hope this helps in any way with your decision.[/QUOTE]
I have agreed not to smoke within smelling distance if there are youth present, including in my house (which is adjacent the field). I'm OK with that...I invested in a portable vape pen. I think I'll take advice from devil lettuce and be happy for what I have. And like Dodge said, I guess I have already won.

Vape if you can...and with the agreement you have with them all should be well. If you pursue the "righteous" cause angle, they will find a way to boot you.

Wait until you get the letter. Then say Thanks and you will return it after you consult your attorney. If nothing else it will tell them you are a force to be re coned with. Be nice but explain you don't sign anything until you consult your lawyer.
I would wait to see what exactly they expect from you...such as how far from the kids ?? See, it could get gray and then they dump you...could be a trick...read it carefully and stroke anything bad out.

Honestly I would avoid the lawyer way, for now at least. This will antagonize them unnecessarily. You pretty much know your rights, so no point pissing them off. You can consult your lawyer just do it without them knowing.
But I also see Hippy's point, it is a pretty large gray area about kids catching a whiff etc. etc. even if you're far away.

Lots of hopeless optimists here. Sounds to me like you didn't "win" the war. You one upped them in a single battle by demonstrating that the law is currently on your side. That means they haven't a leg to stand on if they want to fire you for it, until you sign that agreement, which is a flanking of your stated rights.

The second you break that agreement you'll be out on your ass and you won't have any means of grieving it, since you signed that agreement. All it will take is someone saying they thought they smelled something and bye bye sucker. Had you actually won them over, they wouldn't be asking you to sign such an agreement in the first place, which is the beginnings of official proceedings for your removal. It'd be different if they simply took you aside and said "look we don't want them selling it or seeing you use it"... but they didn't and they put it on paper for a reason and that reason isn't to your benefit.

Furthermore, if it doesn't actually include provisions for your use of it, perhaps at specific times in specific places, reserved for you, say where the kids aren't allowed, then it just screams trap, because there's always someone that's going to smell it or spot you using it and they're clearly making no allowance for that other than to get your ass out the door.

Really, it's not our jobs to shore up the lies born of corruption told to youth in order to brainwash them and keep them as a reserved market for pharmaceuticals which are hardly ethical or in good scientific standing as much as they pretend. That right there is the only thing placed in jeopardy by having youth exposed to use of it by others, the lies they've been told. If we're to move forward we can't easily cede that ground because it's the current front of the war on it and is exactly what has to change.

I'm not at all saying you should be an asshole walking around with your bong like a lot of idiots seem to think is a grand idea. Like you say it's a common sense thing and you have some options like a vaporizer and edibles. But common sense also dictates that it's hardly fair or realistic to expect people who use it to hide in their basements and only come out after dark. It's hardly common sense to expect there to be zero tolerance for the smell or sight of it. It's absolutely discrimination any way you look at it and I find it absolutely abhorrent that so called activists can cheer on "legalization" that subscribes to and legislates that very intolerance. They're fucking self defeating sellouts in the worst way.

So yeah, what Hippy said. Don't sign shit until you show it to a lawyer, and I still wouldn't be inclined to sign it anyway. I would however preserve it as evidence of their intentions.

Devil Lettuce said:

This is a unique circumstance as most other prescription drugs are not illegal/controlled substances that are smoked and have a discernible odour that can disturb the visiting public. If we want employers to be reasonable, we need to be reasonable as well.

It will take time for employer drug policies to include provisions for MMJ, but we can't expect it to happen overnight or without conditions. Vianarchris has the opportunity to set a precedent with his employer and pave the way for future patients, I'd say that is a win!

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Truly foolish and dangerous arguments, much akin to quelling the right to protest by saying "what about the grass, or the rights of others to enjoy it". It's a false equivalence.

People have a human right to use weed medicinally, Vs nobody has a right not to be "disturbed" by a passing odor. There needs to be a little thing called _tolerance_ and the lack of it isn't a free society. Fatal compromise after fatal compromise isn't the road to freedom. Your logic is absolutely backwards and I question the reason for it.

particle said:

Truly foolish and dangerous arguments, much akin to quelling the right to protest by saying "what about the grass, or the rights of others to enjoy it". It's a false equivalence.

People have a human right to use weed medicinally, Vs nobody has a right not to be "disturbed" by a passing odor. There needs to be a little thing called _tolerance_ and the lack of it isn't a free society. Fatal compromise after fatal compromise isn't the road to freedom. Your logic is absolutely backwards and I question the reason for it.

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All of your hardline advice is easy to give out when it isn't your own career on the line. OP is looking to keep his job while having the right to medicate, not to wage a legal crusade. I am a realist, and deal with this issue in my own career, so I am giving advice based on real word experience, not on an altruistic view of how things should be. I also prefer to deal with issues like a reasonable human being and not resorting to threats and lawyers until absolutely necessary.

But yes, for someone looking to keep his job and still medicate, completely foolish advice. I apologize for basing my advice on reality and not the extreme views and opinions which you obviously hold up there on your high horse.

Have you personally done what you are suggesting that OP do? What are your real life experiences pertaining to this subject? Have you personally offered yourself up as a Martyr to prove this point?

particle said:

Truly foolish and dangerous arguments, much akin to quelling the right to protest by saying "what about the grass, or the rights of others to enjoy it". It's a false equivalence.

People have a human right to use weed medicinally, Vs nobody has a right not to be "disturbed" by a passing odor. There needs to be a little thing called _tolerance_ and the lack of it isn't a free society. Fatal compromise after fatal compromise isn't the road to freedom. Your logic is absolutely backwards and I question the reason for it.

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Also, if you don't think that moral, religious and political views come into play when it comes to this sort of thing, than you are being naive. Once again, I am being a realist and offering advice based on the current landscape. IMO, your logic is "absolutely backwards" unless your goal is to get someone unnecessarily fired. Most of us don't have the luxury being able to afford unemployment or to hire lawyers to wage legal battles that easy could have been avoided with a little common sense and people skills. Not all of us are on a crusade. Some of us just want to be able to make an honest living, medicate, and not have to incur any undue hassle or publicity. If you want to take an employer to task for the greater good, by all means knock yourself out.

There is however the Right of quiet | "peaceful" | enjoyment of ones property. So if the odor interferes with the right of quiet enjoyment of the minors then we have a problem.

Devil Lettuce said:

All of your hardline advice is easy to give out when it isn't your own career on the line. OP is looking to keep his job while having the right to medicate, not to wage a legal crusade. I am a realist, and deal with this issue in my own career, so I am giving advice based on real word experience, not on an altruistic view of how things should be. I also prefer to deal with issues like a reasonable human being and not resorting to threats and lawyers until absolutely necessary.

But yes, for someone looking to keep his job and still medicate, completely foolish advice. I apologize for basing my advice on reality and not the extreme views and opinions which you obviously hold up there on your high horse.

Have you personally done what you are suggesting that OP do? What are your real life experiences pertaining to this subject? Have you personally offered yourself up as a Martyr to prove this point?

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Your vacuous ad hominem in place of reasoned responses do nothing for your argument. You're crying about holding on to reality while simultaneously doing all you can do avoid it. Lost cause.