Medical Marijuana User Sues Rhode Island Firm for Refusing to Hire Her

A graduate student is suing a Rhode Island textile company after it refused to hire her for a two-month internship because she uses medical marijuana to treat debilitating migraines.

Christine Callaghan, a University of Rhode Island textiles student, on Wednesday sued Westerly-based Darlington Fabrics. The American Civil Liberties Union says it’s the first lawsuit of its kind in the state.

Callaghan holds a state-issued medical marijuana card. Rhode Island allows its use with permission from a doctor. Pot is still illegal under federal law.

Callaghan says she told Darlington in June that she had a medical marijuana card. The company later told her she would not be hired because she is a medical marijuana patient.

The firm’s lawyer wouldn’t comment other than to say it had acted within the law.