Final answer:
The discrepancy between state and federal marijuana laws creates complex situations for employees using medical marijuana. Federal law classifies it as a Schedule 1 drug, yet many states permit its medical use. A clear national policy is necessary to align laws and ensure equitable treatment across states.
Step-by-step explanation:
When addressing the scenario where a colleague at an amusement park shows up late and smells of marijuana, it's important to first consider workplace policies and health and safety protocols. If the amusement park has clear guidelines about substance use while on duty, these should guide an employee's actions. Upon discovering that the colleague has been prescribed medical marijuana, problems arise due to the complex interplay of state and federal laws. While more than 80 percent of the states allow medicinal use of marijuana and sixteen states allow recreational use, it remains a Schedule 1 drug under federal law, leading to potential legal complications and disparities in how individuals are treated in court.
Despite the Department of Justice's shift in 2013 indicating a step back from challenging state medical marijuana laws, federal and state law discrepancies continue. Such disparities in the application of law across the nation can lead to unequal treatment in court. It is crucial for a coherent national policy to be established to rectify these disparities and align federal and state law to improve uniformity in legal proceedings and enforcement.