Richmond City Commission tables vote on medical cannabis ban for city employees

This article originally published by Fox 56

RICHMOND, Ky. (FOX 56) — Richmond city leaders are looking into the possibility of prohibiting medical marijuana use among its employees. Still, after a heavy debate at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting, commissioners decided not to vote on the issue just yet.

Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program is launching in less than a month, and the city of Richmond is moving forward cautiously. It’s considering a complete ban on medical marijuana for city employees.

“We’re not saying just a hard, fast no, but we’re saying let us watch to see what happens and then judge any further move and any further deciding based on then, what we’re actually finding,” said Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe.

Blythe and others fear its use could put the safety of employees and others at risk. Kentucky NORML, a non-profit that advocates for safe and accessible medical cannabis, does not agree.

“Our two largest employers in this state, Amazon and Walmart, don’t really test for marijuana anymore,” said the group’s executive director, Matthew Bratcher. “They know that it closes the labor pool, and they need access to these workers.”

Bratcher claimed off-the-clock medical cannabis use has little to no effect on workplace accidents. He argued it can help keep employees healthy.

“Especially as you get older,” said Bratcher. “You hurt; you come home and just hurt. Having access to cannabis can just relieve that pain, relieve those issues and just help with overall recovery.”

These are the kinds of issues the city commission wants more time to consider.

“We have some individuals in very hazardous working environments,” said Commissioner Tammy Cole.

“Are we telling them they can’t take the cannabis for pain if their doctor prescribes it?” asked Mike Brewer, another city commissioner.

The commissioners ultimately decided to take more time to learn from medical professionals to make a more educated vote.

“We want to do it in a way that keeps our employees and those they work with, and the whole community safe,” said Blythe.

He told FOX 56 that the commission will continue this discussion in its next work session meeting set for Jan. 16.