Baxter County Sheriff shares concerns of medical marijuana legalization

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     Now that Arkansas has joined 27 other states and the District of Columbia to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes, there are still many issues to be resolved regarding the approved use of the drug. Among those waiting for clarification are employers and law enforcement officers across the state.
     Locally, Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says while he wasn't surprised the issue passed the voters in the November General Election, like other law enforcement officers, he is disappointed.
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     Stuart Jackson, an attorney with the labor and employment law team at Wright Lindsey Jennings in Little Rock, says qualifying patients with a medical condition qualifying for the use of medical marijuana have certain protections in the workplace. Among them are they cannot be discriminated against in hiring, termination or conditions of employment; they cannot be disciplined for using or possessing the drug and they cannot be disciplined for giving another qualifying patient a permitted amount of marijuana or paraphernalia to use it.
     Montgomery's concerns center around individuals with jobs affecting public safety who may qualify for using medical marijuana.
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     Drivers taking prescribed medications can be charged with driving under the influence, confusing the issue, says Montgomery, is what is considered driving under the influence when using medical marijuana.
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     Like physicians, pharmacists and other law enforcement professionals, Montgomery is concerned that medical marijuana, like other prescribed drugs, will be abused and misused.
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     The five-member Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission appointed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Senate President Pro Tem Jonathan Dismang and House Speaker Jeremy Gilliam will administer and regulate the licensing of medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation facilities in the state.   
      
     

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