NJ Courtroom Units Precedent: Employer Should Reimburse Employee For Medical Marijuana In Staff’ Comp Case

In a landmark choice, the New Jersey Appellate Division has set a precedent by ruling that an employer should reimburse an worker for medical marijuana bills inside the context of a staff’ compensation case.

This ruling got here within the case of Vincent Hager v. M&Okay Development, the place Hager suffered a debilitating office damage in 2001.

What Occurred

Based on The Nationwide Regulation Evaluate, Hager skilled continual ache stemming from herniated and annular discs in his backbone, in addition to nerve harm, regardless of present process spinal surgical procedures and opioid ache aid therapies.

As a substitute for opioids, he turned to medical marijuana, prescribed by a certified doctor. This method alleviated his ache, improved his sleep, and decreased his reliance on opioids.

See Additionally: New Examine Proposes Medical Framework For Cannabinoids To Deal with Power Ache, Tackle Opioid Disaster

NY Courtroom Ruling

• The employees’ compensation choose discovered a causal hyperlink between Hager’s situation and his office accident, figuring out a everlasting partial complete incapacity of 65%. Notably, 15% of this incapacity was attributed to medical marijuana use.
• The choose ordered M&Okay Development to reimburse Hager for his medical marijuana bills.

M&Okay Development contested the ruling, claiming that federal legislation, notably the Managed Substances Act (CSA), preempted New Jersey’s Compassionate Use Medical Hashish Act (CUMMA).

The corporate argued that reimbursing Hager for medical marijuana bills would represent aiding and abetting a federal crime.

The Appellate Division disagreed, stating that it was not unimaginable to adjust to each the CSA and CUMMA.

Moreover, there was no proof of federal prosecution for such reimbursements.

The court docket additionally harassed that Hager’s medical marijuana use was cheap and vital, contemplating his continual ache and failed various therapies, in the end permitting him to stop opioid use.

Learn Subsequent: Hashish Can Assist Cut back Unregulated Opioid Use And Handle Cravings, Examine Finds

Photograph: Courtesy Of JRByron, WilliamCho by Pixabay