PLAINTIFF WAS NOT HIRED BECAUSE HE TESTED POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA WHEN HE WAS UNDER TREATMENT WITH MARIJUANA; THAT STATED A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department determined that refusing to hire plaintiff for testing positive for marijuana when he was being treated with marijuana stated a cause of action for employment discrimination:
We find unavailing the defendant’s contention that the complaint failed to state a cause of action to recover damages for employment discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the NYCHRL [New York City Human Rights Law] because the defendant chose not to hire the plaintiff based only on his positive drug test and not his disability. Refusing to hire the plaintiff because he tested positive for marijuana while knowing that he was being treated with marijuana by a licensed physician for a medical condition effectively denied the plaintiff the opportunity of a reasonable accommodation, and therefore, under these circumstances, is appropriately recognized as a cognizable cause of action to recover damages for employment discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the NYCHRL … . Brouillard v Sunrun, Inc., 2023 NY Slip Op 04184, Second Dept 8-9-23
Practice Point: Refusing to hire plaintiff for testing positive for marijuana when plaintiff was under a doctor’s treatment with marijuana stated a cause of action for denying the plaintiff the opportunity of a reasonable accommodation.
