Oklahoma House Rejects Bill Permitting Employers to Fire Medical Cannabis Patients

The Oklahoma House last week rejected a measure that would have given employers more leeway to fire employees for using medical cannabis, Oklahoma Voice reports. The proposal would have allowed employers to classify additional jobs as “safety-sensitive” and allowed businesses to fire employees with such a job designation if they failed a drug test for cannabis. 

Under current state law, “safety-sensitive” jobs include jobs that involve operating a vehicle, machine, or power tools; carrying a firearm; or providing direct care to patients or children.

There are more than 315,000 Oklahomans registered with the state’s medical cannabis program, according to state data outlined by the Voice. 

State Rep. Kevin West (R), the bill’s sponsor, noted that the bill would not require employers to fire individuals who test positive for cannabis but would allow them to expand what roles would qualify as “safety-sensitive.” 

Critics of the proposal were concerned that some employers would declare all positions as “safety-sensitive,” allowing them to fire any employee for medical cannabis use. 

Despite the bill’s failure, West indicated he may bring the bill up for another vote during a future legislative session.