ACLU sues Wal-Mart over medical marijuana-related firing

BATTLE CREEK, Mich.—The American Civil Liberties Union sued Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday, alleging the retailer wrongfully fired a Michigan employee of five years for legally using medical marijuana.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart fired Joseph Casias after he tested positive for marijuana use in a 2009 post-injury drug test, the suit claims.

Mr. Casias suffers from sinus cancer and was named an “Associate of the Year” in 2008 at the Wal-Mart store where he worked in Battle Creek, Mich., according to court records.

According to the ACLU, Mr. Casias did not use marijuana at work and was not under the influence of the drug when he twisted his knee and tested positive for use of the drug.

Mr. Casias, who was legally registered to use marijuana under Michigan’s medical marijuana law, had suffered for more than a decade from cancer and a brain tumor, according to the lawsuit, which also names a store manager.

The lawsuit, Joseph Casias vs. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Troy Estill, was filed in the Circuit Court for the County of Calhoun.