Medical marijuana? Not if it's self-prescribed.

Even if your state allows marijuana use for medical reasons, an employee's self-administration of the drug for pain relief can be grounds for discipline under your anti-drug policy.

Recent case: After foot surgery, Michael, an engineer, still had pain but was cleared to work without any restrictions or meds. Months later, he failed a random drug test at work.

Company policy allowed for drug treatment, so Michael took that route. But after treatment, he mentioned to HR that he had been told by an out-of-state doctor that he ought to use pot to ease his foot pain. He admitted he bought it from a criminal source. He was fired for violating the company's no illegal drugs policy.

Michael sued, alleging he was disabled and that using pot to ease his pain was necessary...