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Adecco sued in medical marijuana case

February 14, 2013

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine announced it and the firm McKee Law filed a lawsuit against Adecco Group North America alleging a Pittsfield mother was denied rehiring because she uses medical marijuana in accordance with state law. The lawsuit seeks damages from Adecco, including back wages and reinstatement.

Plaintiff Brittany Thomas suffers from back pain caused by spondylosis, arthritis, two bulging disks, a herniated disk, an annular tear and a pinched nerve, according to a press release by ACLU of Maine. She was originally prescribed narcotic pain medications, but after consulting with her doctor, she tried medical marijuana and found that it controlled her pain without the side effects or increased dosages of traditional prescription pain medication, the organization said.

According to the release, Thomas had previously been hired through Adecco to work for United Technology Center assembling smoke detectors but was let go when they did not have enough work for her. Adecco called her to return to the company when additional work was available, but she tested positive for marijuana and was told she would not be allowed to continue employment with Adecco.

An Adecco spokeswoman said the company does not typically comment on litigation matters and has yet to receive the formal complaint.

Maine voted to decriminalize the limited use of medical marijuana for serious conditions in 2008.