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ARTICLE · 09 AUGUST 2013

Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Signed, Implicates Employment Relationship

Barnes & Thornburg LLP
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Illinois became the 20th state in the U.S. to legalize medical marijuana with Governor Pat Quinn’s signing of the legislation.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Kenneth Yerkes
Kenneth Yerkes
John Koenig
John Koenig
Norma Zeitler
Norma Zeitler
William A. Nolan
William A. Nolan
Mark Kittaka
Mark Kittaka
Michael Snapper
Michael Snapper
Peter Morse, Jr.
Peter Morse, Jr.
Eric Stahlhut
Eric Stahlhut
Scott Witlin
Scott Witlin
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Illinois became the 20th state in the U.S. to legalize medical marijuana with Governor Pat Quinn's signing of the legislation. The Act, called the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, permits the medical use of marijuana by individuals suffering from certain debilitating medical conditions when the individual's treating physician has prescribed the drug. It establishes a four-year pilot program that will take effect Jan. 1, 2014.

The Act contains certain employment-related provisions. Notably, employers are prohibited from discriminating against or penalizing a person solely for his or her status as a patient qualified and registered to receive medical marijuana. Such discrimination or penalization is permitted, however, where failing to do so would put the employer in violation of federal law or cause it to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law.

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