Louisville Firefighters File Suit Claiming City Reneged On Medical Cannabis Policy

Louisville firefighters have filed suit claiming Metro Government has reneged on an agreement to protect rank-and-file members who lawfully use marijuana from discipline. Louisville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 54 and vice president, Dennis Eggen, filed the action in Jefferson County Circuit Court last week.

Local 54 contends that during negotiations last year, both sides agreed following passage of the Kentucky’s Medicinal Cannabis Act, that members lawfully using medical cannabis would not be disciplined provided they were not using it on the job or impaired at work.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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