October

Texarkana's board of directors recently approved business license fees for dispensaries and medical cannabis growers in the state of Arkansas. Dispensaries, which will need to pay an initial $7,500 and then $11,000 for yearly license renewals, could be operational within city limits before the end of the year.

The city of Texarkana has a population of 30,000, but another 37,000 people reside just over the state line in Texas, where marijuana remains illegal.

A customer service representative employed for 20 years in Washington was awarded more than $1.8 million in damages for the employer's failure to accommodate her use of opioids that were prescribed to treat her migraines.
 
A Washington federal district court confirmed that 1. The employee had a protected disability, 2. She was qualified to perform the essential functions of her position and 3. The employer had notice of her disability and its functions.
 
It also concluded that the employer failed to reasonably accommodate the plaintiff, noting that the employer "chose to address the plaintiff's medication symptoms through a disciplinary process than an interactive one”.

With more states passing laws allowing for marijuana use for medical and recreational reasons, the law regarding an employer 's responsibilities continue to evolve.
 
In Pennsylvania, for instance, the statute lists specific areas in which employers may prohibit employees from working while under the influence of marijuana, such as while operating or controlling government-controlled chemicals or high-voltage electricity.
 
In Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court recently ruled that employers may be held liable for disability discrimination under state law if they fire an individual for using medical marijuana.
 
Many states could follow suite regarding the list of accommodations that are considered to be reasonable.