Establishes protection from adverse employment action for authorized medical cannabis patients.

This bill (A1609) protects registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey from employment discrimination. It prohibits employers from taking adverse actions - such as refusing to hire, firing, or reducing pay - based solely on an employee’s status as a registry cardholder or a positive cannabis test, unless the employer proves the use impaired job performance. Employers must allow employees to explain positive tests with medical documentation (like a healthcare provider’s recommendation or registry card) and offer a retest at the employee’s expense within three days. The bill repeals an existing provision (P.L.2019, c.153, §9) and explicitly allows employers to enforce policies against intoxicating substances during work hours or if federal compliance is at risk.