ACLU defends cancer patient fired for legal marijuana use

[kpete]

Source: Raw Story

The American Civil Liberties Union urged a U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday to reinstate a lawsuit against Wal-Mart and a manager in Michigan for firing an employee who used medical marijuana in accordance with state law.

Thirty-year-old former Wal-Mart employee Joseph Casias used marijuana to treat the symptoms of an inoperable brain tumor and sinus cancer.

Casias was fired in 2009 after testing positive for marijuana. He had been successfully employed for more than five years by a Wal-Mart in Battle Creek and began using medical marijuana after voters approved the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act in 2008.

"This appeal is an important development for patients who use marijuana as prescribed by a doctor in the 15 states and the District of Columbia where laws provide protections for them," said Kary L. Moss, Executive Director of the ACLU of Michigan. "Patients across the country who rely on this medication for pain relief are watching this case."

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/28/aclu-defends-cancer-patient-fired-for-legal-marijuana-use/

[nonperson]

1. Ridiculous

Patient care and medication should be between doctor and patient only. No level of government has any business inserting themselves between doctor and patient.

That said, I really wish people would stop saying things like:
"This appeal is an important development for patients who use marijuana as prescribed by a doctor in the 15 states and the District of Columbia where laws provide protections for them,"

New Jersey STILL hasn't implemented the Compassionate Use Act signed over 15 months ago by outgoing Governor Corzine. So that number is 14 states and the District of Columbia in reality.

[ZombieHorde]

2. Sick and twisted. nt

[Curtis]

3. People . . .

Need to pull that stick out of their asses. I feel for this guy cause I've been. , well still am, in his shoes. Don't really want to say more than this, but a decision between my doctor and I kept me from getting the career I wanted all my life. Silly me thought following the rules to the letter would protect me. Wish the ACLU had taken my case when I asked . . . .

[U4ikLefty]

4. ...and Walmart management toast their victory with Cocktails. nt