Category: Employment Law
MEDICAL CANNABIS AND EMPLOYMENT ISSUES: WHAT EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW
December 21, 2015 | Bradley KletscherBY: Bradley A. Kletscher In July 2015, medical cannabis became legal in Minnesota for a limited purpose. Under this new law, persons registered under Minnesota’s Medical Marijuana Law (“MMML”) can engage in possession and use of “medical cannabis”. Under MMML, medical cannabis means “any species of the genus cannabis plant, or any mixture or preparation of them delivered in liquid or pill form.” Patients can use a vaporized delivery so long as it does not require leaves. In order to register, a health care practitioner must certify that a patient suffers from a “qualifying medical condition.” After patients receive certification, they have 90 days to submit a patient application for enrollment to the registry program. Patients have to reapply annually within 90 days of the original submission anniversary if they want to keep their use legal. Qualified persons are not allowed to use the medication in any public place, including public transit, school grounds, or while operating types of transportation. Once patients are successfully registered, they receive some protections. Following successful registration, use or possession of medical cannabis is not a state civil or state criminal violation. Employers should be aware that unless a failure to do so would violate federal law or regulations or cause an employer to lose a monetary or…
Read MoreAttorney Dave Schaps Volunteers at Student Mock Arbitration
December 16, 2015 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.On Saturday, December 12, Associate Attorney Dave Schaps performed the role of Arbitrator at the Hamline University’s Center for Public Administration and Leadership graduate level Arbitration class, which was conducted by Professor Craig Waldron. Dave arbitrated the class’s final project, which involved a mock employment grievance dispute between a City and a police officer held in accordance with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. The class of approximately 25 students came extremely prepared to serve in the various roles of giving witness testimony and conducting direct and cross examination, which contributed greatly to the learning experience in the class. Dave’s role was to conduct and moderate the course of the arbitration, and to deliver a decision at the conclusion of the proceedings. In the end, the decision to administer discipline by the City was sustained, but was reduced from a termination of employment to a one week suspension without pay. The students all appreciated the opportunity to learn through the mock arbitration and Dave Schaps’ guidance as Arbitrator as well as the debriefing after the actual arbitration presentation.
Read MoreFall in Galina, Illinois
October 27, 2015 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.BGS Labor and Employment shareholder Scott Lepak spent Sunday, October 25 in Galina, Illinois as an instructor for the National Public Employers Labor Relations Association at its Labor Relations Academy. Participants in this Academy are working toward becoming Certified Labor Relations Professionals. Scott is a regular instructor for this program and is happy to share his 25+ years of experience as a chief labor negotiator with up and coming labor negotiators. Participants always get a kick out of the fact that Scott started doing labor negotiations when people would smoke at the negotiations table and shout at each other (well actually there still is some shouting once in a while in negotiations). Scott says that this academy is one of his favorites because fall colors in Galina are spectacular and Galina is a great place to spend time in all of the local establishments. BGS is particularly happy to have had Scott at this conference because he brought back Apple Cider donuts.
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