Six of the seven Barren County Magistrates showed up for the special-called fiscal court meeting on Dec. 20 to vote on the prohibition of medical cannabis use by county employees. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Barren County unanimously voted to prohibit medical cannabis use by county employees during the Dec. 20 special-called Barren County Fiscal Court meeting.
Six of the seven county magistrates that were present voted to adopt a resolution that “prohibits the use of medical cannabis by county employees” and states the employees “are subject to discipline, up to, and including, termination from employment with the county” if found to be working under the influence of cannabis, even if the employee has a medical card. The meeting lasted four minutes.
The resolution prohibits consuming medical cannabis while in the workplace, or being under its influence. Those who test positive for cannabis use will face disciplinary action.
Barren County County Attorney Mike Richardson said the resolution, which needed to be adopted before the end of the year, was mainly passed in order to clarify the county’s drug-free workplace policy.
The drug-free workplace policy establishes prohibited drugs and defines the county’s drug tests. Barren County’s policy applies to full- and part-time employees.
State residents will be able to request a medical cannabis card from the state beginning Jan. 1, 2025, assuming they meet eligibility requirements, however the cabinet overseeing the cannabis rollout gave an exception allowing employers to prohibit employee use.
At the federal level cannabis is still categorized as a Schedule I drug, meaning it’s illegal to use, sell, or possess for any reason.
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