New York Public Personnel Law: Administrative Law Judge recommended dismissal of employee testing positive for marijuana

November 03, 2011

Administrative Law Judge recommended dismissal of employee testing positive for marijuana

Administrative Law Judge recommended dismissal of employee testing positive for marijuana

NYC Fire Department v Rolling, OATH Index #1645/11

OATH Administrative Law Judge Alessandra F. Zorgniotti recommended termination of employment for an Emergency Medical Technician [EMT] who tested positive for marijuana in a random workplace drug test.

Although the EMT claimed that the positive test resulted from his consumption of vitamins that contain hemp-seed oil, there was no proof that he had consumed any substance that could trigger a false positive result.

Noting that “[i]nnocent ingestion is an affirmative defense that [the accused] must prove by preponderance of the evidence,” Judge Zorgniotti said that the EMT “could not identify anything he consumed that contained hemp-seed oil” at any time during the 24-hour period proceeding his being tested.

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://archive.citylaw.org/oath/11_Cases/11-1615.pdf

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