The Glasgow Common Council recently passed a municipal order prohibiting the use of medical cannabis by city employees, aligning with the city's zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy.
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This decision follows Kentucky law, which allows cities to enforce such restrictions, ensuring consistency with the city’s drug-free workplace stance. The ban applies to both on-duty and off-duty use, with clarification that employees cannot have medical cannabis in their system while working.
Council members discussed the policy’s broader implications, including its alignment with alcohol policies, and raised concerns about future legal developments, especially if federal or state laws change. Councilman Joe Trigg noted that the issue might need revisiting if state or federal guidelines evolve. City Attorney Rich Alexander assured that Kentucky law protects municipalities from liability in such cases.
The policy also addresses employees taking prescription narcotics, stressing that they must report medications that could impair job performance. For instance, those using substances like narcotics might be reassigned to non-risky tasks, such as office work, rather than operating heavy machinery.
Human resources manager Lance Crimmins highlighted complications in allowing medical cannabis use due to its ongoing federal illegality and its potential to affect the city’s ability to secure federal grants. Cannabis stays in the system for up to 30 days, and the current drug testing methods do not indicate when or how much cannabis was used, making it challenging to assess impairment accurately.
With new regulations expected over time, the city intends to revisit this issue as more guidance emerges. The Kentucky League of Cities has recommended prohibiting cannabis use, given the uncertainties surrounding its impact on safety, employment law, and federal funding eligibility.
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