GLASGOW, Ky. – Medical marijuana has been a hot topic across the commonwealth with medicinal marijuana being allowed statewide after the last legislative session.

Since that last session counties across the state took votes as to whether they should allow stores to sell marijuana. However even in places like Glasgow, restrictions are still being put in place for city employees. Glasgow has passed a municipal order that would prohibit medicinal cannabis usage for all city employees no matter the excuse.

“From the city’s standpoint, we employ a lot of people who operate heavy equipment, who interact with the public. We have law enforcement who sometimes, are in situations where they have to be completely on top of their game. Same with the fire department. We can’t take a chance at having somebody on the clock that is impaired in any way” said Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse

One problem the Glasgow city council sees is a lack of criteria to determine intoxication, as alcohol does. While the state sets what is determined as intoxicated for alcohol, cannabis does not have a state law to determine what is and is not intoxicated.

“When you test for that, you have a rule to go by. Right now, there is no rule with respect to cannabis. And so it’s very difficult, in my judgment, for cities to evaluate intoxication. If somebody is tested for, marijuana and it shows positive, we really have no criteria right now to determine whether or not someone is intoxicated or not” said Glasgow City Attorney Rich Alexander.

Mayor Royce said changes could be made in the future as advancements are made in the field, but for now its about protecting the public and the employees.