Retirement Home Fires Staffer for Medical Marijuana Use

Even though only 20% of Americans still oppose medical marijuana, there's enough lingering prejudice to create serious problems for patients. Via MPP, here's another ugly example of the workplace discrimination many medical users continue to face:

ANDERSON - Although he says he has a doctor's recommendation to smoke medical marijuana, the on-site manager of a senior apartment complex here claims he was fired by its new Southern California-based management company after he failed its drug-screening test.

The firing of Christian Hughes, 33, who has two weeks in which to leave his apartment in the well-kept complex, has raised the ire of some of those senior citizens who live comfortably at the 81-unit Regency Place Senior Apartments on Red Bud Lane. [Record-Searchlight]

Apparently, Hughes's popularity with the residents has made things complicated:

Sixty-four-year-old Diane Bethany, an apartment complex resident who started a petition drive that obtained about 60 signatures in support of Hughes, says she and many others there are upset by his firing.

"He's a terrific guy," she said, adding that he's always been protective of the residents and goes above and beyond his management duties to help them out.

I can't help but grin at the thought of a bunch of seniors signing a petition to protest an unfair marijuana policy. Hopefully, the press coverage will help Christian Hughes find new employment. Moreover, any companies that still discriminate against patients should take note of the public controversy you invite when you fire good people for bad reasons.