Oregon residents who are allowed to use medical marijuana under state law are asking lawmakers to approve a measure that would protect them from being fired by employers if they fail routine workplace drug tests, the Associated Press reported Feb. 27.

The Oregon legislature has been holding hearings on the bill, and previously received testimony from employers and others who want to be able to fire workers for failing drug tests. Another bill introduced in the legislature would allow such firings even if the employee was a legal medical-marijuana user. "The goal is to make sure that medical marijuana is treated as a possible intoxicating substance," said Jeff Dean, director of government affairs for the Pacific Northwest chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

Countered Leland Berger, a lawyer testifying on behalf of medical-marijuana users: "The nature of the discussion is straightforward. It should be treated as any other medication."

Employers contend that medical-marijuana users could be impaired on the job, but activists counter that drug tests don't measure impairment, and that impairment can be judged by using computer programs or video games to test reflexes and coordination.

"If someone is using heavy equipment, they should be tested using technology that detects impairment," said Andrea Meyer of the American Civil Liberties Union. "The issue shouldn't be what medicines they are on; the issue should be whether they are impaired, whatever the cause."