Yes, marijuana use can still get you in trouble at work

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Recreational use of marijuana became legal in Missouri at the beginning of February.

However, some marijuana users still do not have job protection.

Dan Viets, marijuana law and policy expert says, "medical users have job protection."

But recreational users are different, he said.

Under Amendment 3, which legalized recreational marijuana in Missouri, employers cannot discriminate against medical marijuana users who have a valid medical marijuana card.

"They cannot refuse to hire you, they cannot fire you, they cannot discipline you for medical marijuana use off the job," Viets said.

Medical marijuana users can face consequences if they possesed, were under the influence, or if the legal use affects their job performance during working hours.

But can an employer still drug test workers for marijuana?

"They can make it a condition that you undergo a test, it's one reason why a lot of people are going to maintain those medical cards because at this time they have protection against job discrimination if they are a medical user, a non-medical user does not yet have that protection," Viets said.

As far as marijuana policies and maintaining a drug-free workplace, Viets says that remains up to the employer.

"Employers can certainly prohibit marijuana use at work. They don't have to but they may," Viets says.

There is no test that can determine if someone is under the influence of marijuana but there are tests that can determine if someone has THC, the active drug in marijuana, in their system.

A bill is pending in the Missouri General Assembly that would extend job protection for non-medical marijuana users.