A Windsor worker is criticizing the federal government for not better educating employers about the use of medical marijuana on the job.
"The public ain't (sic) properly educated with THC and CBD."
Joshua Jacquot works as a line worker at Ventura Assembly. He says his work with a wire harness is not dangerous and the strain of CBD oil he uses doesn't make him high, but his employer won't let him use it.
"My work said I can't take it in any form possible, either smoking it, vaping it, using it through oil, edibles, pill form," explains Jacquot, who says he spoke with the human resources department. "However, I could take prescription medication, so I asked if it was okay if I took Percocet or fentanyl. And, she said yes."
Jacquot, who has struggled with anxiety and depression for six years, says he has tried to anti-depressants in the past to control his symptoms but found it didn't help him. He was prescribed medical marijuana by his doctor but admits he used recreational marijuana in the past while working from home at another job. He says he did not want to keep his use secret from his employer.
He was forced to take time off work in December after a suicide attempt and tried to return earlier this month without the use of CBD oil.
"I only worked a day and a half, and I ended up having an anxiety attack," he says. "They still wouldn't let me medicate with my CBD."
Since then, he says he's been trying to address the issue through his union local, United Auto Workers Local 251.
He says Manulife, his insurance provider, has denied his claim for short-term disability saying he hasn't supplied the proper documentation. Jacquot is considering an appeal.
"Not only am I trying to fight for myself; I am trying to fight for other people out there."
In the meantime, Jacquot says he is off work and trying to control the symptoms of his mental illness.