Puerto Rico Limits Employment Protections for Medical Cannabis Patients in Safety-Sensitive Roles

Puerto Rico has established a significant employment law exception for authorized medical cannabis patients seeking or working in safety-sensitive transportation positions. This exception creates a regulatory framework where medical cannabis patients may face employment restrictions in roles requiring heightened safety standards, diverging from broader protections afforded to other medical cannabis users in the territory. The policy reflects ongoing tensions between patient rights and occupational safety requirements, particularly in transportation and safety-critical industries. Medical cannabis patients in Puerto Rico should be aware that authorization for therapeutic use does not guarantee employment protection across all job sectors, especially those involving public safety responsibilities.