Brownie Mary Democrats meeting features AB 1256 author Dr. Bill Quirk

Stop the firing of and the refusing to hire cannabis consumers

Although the California State Personnel Board has ruled that a urine test does not establish that a state employee is under the influence of marijuana when reporting for duty, and therefore “does not justify discipline,” everyone else in the state can be fired from their job for off-duty use of cannabis.

For over a decade legislation protecting employees from being fired for off-duty cannabis use has never been successful. In 2008, a bill made it through the legislature but it was vetoed by former Governor andformer (maybe) pothead Schwarzenegger. Although introduced multiple times since then, it has never made it out of the state legislature.

With the soon hoped to be passage of the MORE act by the U.S. Congress which will remove cannabis from the schedule of controlled substances and therein end federal cannabis prohibition, 2021 may be the ideal year for cannabis non-discrimination legislation to be enacted.

To that end Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-20AD), a long-time advocate and friend of medical and adult-use cannabis, has introduced AB 1256 which will prohibit employers from using drug tests that test for inactive THC metabolites and hence do not prove impairment as a basis for disciplining or terminating an employee.

For cannabis consumers, this is one of the most important and far-reaching cannabis bills being considered in the state legislature. The Brownie Mary Democrats are pleased that Assemblyman Quirk will be the featured speaker at our zoom membership meeting on Friday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. This will be a great time to learn about a bill that will protect you and all your cannabis-consuming friends and family members from losing their livelihoods simply because they made the wise-choice to use cannabis for medical or recreational use.

Assemblyman Quirk is a very knowledgeable person on a variety of cannabis legislative issues and will present an enlightened perspective on his bill and several others bills and provide a nuanced look at how likely they will get passed and what needs to be done to make sure they get passed.

The meeting is a zoom meeting so it is convenient and easy to attend. The zoom link will be provided in an upcoming email newsletter, but circle Friday, July 30 on your calendar for the meeting at 7:30 p.m. so you won’t schedule anything else at the same time.

Printed at the end of this email is the agenda for the meeting.

You do not need to be a member to attend the meeting, but in order to vote, you will need to be a member. Membership is open to all Democrats and is only $10 for a regular membership and just $5 for senior citizens, veterans, students and low income. To join CLICK HERE.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please email [email protected] or call 760-799-2055.

Incidentally, although not mandated, cannabis consumption is allowed and encouraged at this meeting.

AGENDA

Brownie Mary Democrats of California

General Meeting

July 30, 2021

1. Call to order
2. Introduction of Eboard members
3. Minutes
4. Finance report
5. Introduction of Guests
6. Chair’s report - BMD in 2021
7. Introduction of Guest Speaker – Assemblyman Bill Quirk
8. Change in by-laws- for composition of Eboard – first reading
9. Donation to CaNORML Prop. 215 25^th Anniversary celebration
10. Update on Governor Newsom recall
11. Update on federal legislation to end cannabis prohibition
12. other business
13. adjourn