Marijuana has been criminalized for many years until recently when many states started legalizing it for medical reasons. In the EMS workplace it has especially been a big problem with the first responders using Marijuana. 

In California it has been legalized for medicinal and recreational use. But why can’t an EMS employee use it on their days off? This petition is to get EMS companies to allow their employees to use marijuana on their days off. 

I’ve heard the argument before, “we don’t want our employees ‘high’ on the job”. Well yes, that is very valid. With this logic, you obviously don’t want your employees to be “drunk” on the job either. So yes do not be under the influence on the job of course. But why can I drink a beer off the clock and totally get hammered but not be allowed smoke a joint in my own free time? This question is the thesis of my argument. I have also heard the argument “marijuana use is an addiction”. Well what about the 3 million people per year who suffer from alcoholism? 

Marijuana has many benefits to its use. Marijuana has been known to treat anxiety. Many EMS workers experience anxiety on their day to day shifts. Marijuana has also been known to relieve chronic pain. This is a big one because on a regular day, an EMS employee will doing a lot of heavy lifting which can lead to chronic knee and back pain. In addition to this most EMS workers will have shift times that range to morning, noon, and night. It’s hard to have a set sleep schedule when you are constantly needing to change it. Marijuana may be used as a sleep aid and helps relax the body. What are the benefits of alcohol? 

Im not anti-alcohol, I am just using it as an example. Why can something that is so destructive to the body like alcohol be okay but I can’t smoke a joint at the end of a 12 hour shift to calm my nerves, relax my body, and get a good nights sleep?