EUGENE, Ore. — An arbitrator has ruled that Lane County erred in firing an employee for his off-duty use of medical marijuana that he says was based on the recommendation of a doctor for side effects from cancer treatment.
The Register-Guard reports Michael Hirsch will be reinstated as a senior programmer and systems analyst. The county has also been ordered to give him nearly $22,000 in back pay.
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Arbitrator Jeffrey Jacobs determined the county hadn’t provided evidence indicating Hirsch had used marijuana at work or that his off-duty use affected his performance.
Hirsch, a 60-year-old prostate cancer survivor, was fired in December after two employees reported smelling marijuana smoke on his clothing.
County spokesman Jason Davis issued a statement saying the county relies on maintaining “a drug-free workplace” to receive federal funds.
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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com
