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Medicinal Cannabis in the Workplace Puerto Rico

By: Angel Berberena, Esq.

July 30, 2021

On July 29, 2021, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Pedro R. Pierluisi, signed into law an amendment to the Medicinal Cannabis Act of 2017. The Act of 2017 authorized the medicinal use of cannabis in Puerto Rico but did not extend its protections to employees or the workplace.

The recently enacted amendment extends the general protections established in the Medicinal Cannabis Act of 2017 to employees in the workplace. In doing so, registered and authorized patients who identify as such to their employers will be considered within a protected classification and employers are specifically prohibited to discriminate against them in recruitment, hiring, promotions, termination or to take adverse action. To further protect patients and their employers, the amendment provides that an employer cannot be penalized or be refused contracts, licenses, certifications, benefits, or funds because of the hiring of patients.

The amendment does provide four exclusions to these protections if:

  • the use of medicinal cannabis represents a real threat to people or property;
  • the use of medicinal cannabis by a registered and authorized patient exposes the employer to lose a license, permit, certification related to some other law, regulation, program of federal fund; or
  • the registered and authorized patient uses or is in possession of medicinal cannabis in the workplace and/or during working hours without written authorization of the employer.

These protections must be interpreted liberally in favor of the registered and authorized patient. Furthermore, the employer has the burden of proof, by preponderance of evidence, to establish that the employee falls within any of the exclusions to deny the protections under the Medicinal Cannabis Act of 2017 as amended.


Goldman Antonetti & Córdova, LLC stands ready to assist you and your business to adjust to Puerto Rico’s regulatory and legal changes. If you need further assistance in this area, please contact any of the following members of our Firm:

Angel Berberena
[email protected]
787.759.4143

Javier Vazquez
[email protected]
787.759.4113

Howard Pravda
[email protected]
787.759.4110

Vicente Antonetti
[email protected]
787.759.4112

Romel Meléndez
[email protected]
787.759.4115

Luis Ortiz Abreu
[email protected]
787.759.4110

Gabriel Quintero
[email protected]
787.759.4130

Disclaimer: Although the information included in this document may concern legal issues, it is not a legal opinion or professional advice and clients shall not use it as such. We assume no responsibility or liability of any kind for any information contained herein, and we expressly disclaim all liability for any claim for damages arising from the use, reference to, or reliance on, such information. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.