Can You Get a Job With a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona?

Concerns about getting a job with a medical card in Arizona sometimes deter patients from registering for a card. However, these fears are mostly unfounded. Arizona has some of the most patient-friendly laws in the nation when it comes to medical marijuana and the workplace.

Can Employers Refuse to Hire Medical Marijuana Patients?

How patient status will impact employment is one of the main concerns about getting a medical card. The good news is that the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act states that employers are prohibited from refusing employment based on medical marijuana patient status in most cases. 

It’s easy for qualifying patients to obtain a medical marijuana card in Arizona. You just need to obtain a physician’s certification and apply through the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). 

At Green Leaf Medical Marijuana Card Doctors, we take care of the certification and the paperwork on your behalf. You can sometimes get approved for your MMJ card in as little as one day.

Do you have to tell your employer that you take MMJ?

You don’t have to disclose that you’re a cardholder or that you use medical marijuana. Employers are also prohibited from asking you about your patient status or marijuana use.

However, there are some exceptions to this:

“Safety Sensitive” Roles

Certain employers may designate specified positions as “safety sensitive” and take extra precautions as a result. Common safety-sensitive roles include drivers, pilots, air traffic controllers, firefighters, and police officers.

Employers may legally inquire about medical marijuana status when hiring for safety-sensitive positions. They are within their rights to decline to hire you if they believe that hiring you would present risks to human safety. 

Federal Employees

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has clarified that past marijuana use doesn’t automatically disqualify someone from federal employment (page 2 of the PDF). However, cannabis remains illegal under Federal law. This means that current use will likely still affect hiring and continued employment. 

The memo specifically notes that applicants who consume marijuana may face challenges when applying for jobs linked to the federal government. It states that: “Applicants who indicate that they will continue to use marijuana despite Federal law may be found unsuitable for Federal employment.”

This highlights some of the broader federal restrictions affecting MMJ patients that still exist despite Arizona’s state-level protections, including issues like gun ownership.

Businesses With Federal Government Involvement

There are some instances when hiring medical marijuana cardholders could cause an employer to lose a contract or licensing-related benefit from the federal government. Employers may deny employment to medical cardholders in this specific case.

Remember that cannabis is still a Schedule I Controlled Substance at the federal level. This means businesses that contract with the federal government are likely subject to additional precautions. Medical marijuana cardholders aren’t protected in these instances. Federal courts often handle employment law and do not recognize the aforementioned protections.

Key takeaway: Arizona medical cannabis laws grant patients many protections. Most workers won’t be negatively impacted by being a medical cardholder. That said, it’s vital to understand what your workplace policy is regarding drug use and testing to avoid problems down the line.

Can You Get Fired for Having a Medical Marijuana Card in AZ?

Most employers in Arizona are prohibited from discriminating against any employee who has a valid AZ medical marijuana card. That means you can’t be fired for your patient status. This is even true if you fail a drug test.

The major exceptions are for safety-sensitive roles and for those positions that may jeopardize federal government contracts. If you work in one of these roles and test positive for marijuana, you may be terminated from your position. 

Take into account that THC metabolites can remain in the hair for up to 90 days after use. This means you could be terminated even if you’re not currently impaired.

You may need to consider alternative employment or speak to your registered medical marijuana doctor about other forms of treatment if you depend on medical cannabis to treat a chronic qualifying condition and work in an environment where state protections don’t apply.

Can Arizona Employers Drug Test Medical Marijuana Patients?

Yes, Arizona employers are generally allowed to drug test employees and applicants. However, medical patients enjoy more robust legal protections than recreational users.

The Medical Marijuana Act states that employers generally can’t take disciplinary action solely because a registered patient tests positive for cannabis. However, there are some important exceptions.

Employers can still take action if:

• An employee consumes or possesses marijuana at work

• An employee is impaired while working

• The role is safety-sensitive

• Federal law or contracts demand a drug-free workplace

MMJ cardholders must fully understand their employer’s drug policies before consuming cannabis. Employers may conduct drug tests randomly, post-accident, or based on reasonable suspicion.

FAQs

Does having a medical card affect your job?

Employers in Arizona aren’t allowed to discriminate against employees based on their medical marijuana use. However, these workplace protections don’t apply to safety-sensitive positions or jobs governed by federal law. Employers may still enforce drug-free workplace policies and prohibit on-the-job impairment. 

Can you get a government job with a medical card?

Getting a government job is more challenging for medical cardholders because marijuana is illegal under federal law. 

What jobs can’t you get with a medical card?

Medical marijuana patients should expect to face restrictions when applying for safety-sensitive or federally regulated positions. These include:

• Driving jobs or aviation

• Law enforcement

• Military service

• Jobs that involve operating heavy machinery

• Some roles in healthcare and emergency response

Employers in these industries may legally decline to hire medical marijuana users due to safety concerns or federal compliance requirements.

Can you work at a hospital with a medical card?

Yes, many medical marijuana patients work in healthcare settings. However, hospitals and healthcare employers may maintain strict drug testing and impairment policies. This is common in positions involving patient care or controlled substances. Rules vary by employer and role. 

Benefits of Having an AZ MMJ Card in the Workforce

An MMJ card provides invaluable workplace protections if you have a legitimate need for Arizona’s medical marijuana program. These protections don’t apply to recreational marijuana users. 

Businesses reserve the right to designate drug-free workplaces and require the drug testing of employees. If you return a positive drug test, a medical marijuana card will likely be the only form of legal protection you have against disciplinary action. 

If you’ve been treating your condition without an Arizona medical marijuana card, you may be at risk of losing your current employment or losing out on new employment opportunities. It’s not worth it. Get certified today, and enjoy the additional peace of mind that comes with being protected in the workplace.