Assembly line worker fights to use medical marijuana at work

A Windsor man is fighting for the right to use medical marijuana at work, but an addictions expert says he might not have a case because cannabis oil is nomore effective than "candy."

On Wednesday, Josh Jacquot will meet with his union and representatives of VentraAssembly to discuss whether he can use cannabis oil in the workplace.Their dispute started after the 23-year-old said he was told he couldn't use medical marijuana at work.

• Medical marijuana patients can grow their own medicine, court rules

• Windsor doctors get crash course in medical marijuana

"This obviously doesn't help my anxiety and depression," the assembly line worker said. "I actually went off work to get better, not to get worse."

After explaining to his bosses that medical marijuana prescribed by his physician was helping him get better, Jacquotsaid Ventratold him to use prescription drugs. But Jacquotsaid he's tried more traditional drugs in the past, and they didn't work. Without marijuana to treat his illness he's been off sick sinceNovember.

Medical marijuana more common

Ontario law states employers mustaccommodate employees who require prescription drugs.

The use of marijuana in these cases has evolved in recent years as more people have used it to treat chronic pain, according to University of Windsor law professor Bill Bogart.

• Inside Aphria Medical Marijuana

"It's far better to have people on medical marijuana thanopioidsbecause we all know what kinds of problemsopioidscan cause," he said."Once it's clear that you are entitled to use medical marijuana it becomes like any other use of a drug."

Jacquotuses cannabis oil with the ingredient CBD. He claims it doesn't get him high like THC, another active compound in marijuana. Using theoil also means he doesn't have to smoke the drug.

Cannabis oil a placebo

Addiction counsellor Dr. Tony Hammersaid no tests have been done to prove CBD works the way users claim it does, so any evidence of its effectiveness is anecdotal.

In his opinion cannabis oil is no more effective than "candy," so Ventraisn't obligated to let Jacquot use it.

Jacquot maintains that marijuana is the only thing that's helped him and is hopeful that after the meeting Wednesday, he'll be able to get back to work.

"Basically, we're just trying to see what the company has to say as right now," he said. "I'm still dealing with anxiety and depression."