PITTSBURGH – A Cowansville woman is suing her former employers alleging that she was terminated due to having a medical marijuana card.
Kristen Stewart filed a complaint on April 23 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas against Belcan Technical Services Inc. and Lanxess alleging violation of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff began her employment with both of the defendants in January. The suit states the plaintiff has severe degenerative disk disease and scoliosis and uses medical marijuana to treat her pain. The plaintiff alleges before she was hired, she disclosed her medical marijuana card during her physical and drug test.
The plaintiff alleges she was given positive reviews by the defendants, but was told that she would only be filling in for someone on medical leave. The plaintiff alleges was later told that she would be attending a Tradewin seminar in May and that she would be able to start a six-month class after being hired full-time.
The plaintiff alleges she was called on Jan. 31 and was told that her position was being terminated and she later discovered that it was because of her medical marijuana card.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Christi Wallace of Kraemer, Manes & Associates in Pittsburgh.