Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jul 2015
Source: Manteca Bulletin (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.mantecabulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3670

OREGON TV ANCHOR FIRED AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon television anchor has turned into a 
marijuana activist after being fired for testing positive for the drug.

Cyd Maurer, a morning weekend anchor at Eugene's ABC affiliate 
KEZI-TV, said she was fired in May after getting into a minor 
accident while on assignment. In a video posted online, Maurer said 
that after the accident she was forced to take a drug test per 
company policy and failed it.

Maurer, 25, said she was completely sober at work and had used the 
marijuana several days before. Studies show marijuana, unlike 
alcohol, can be detected in some people for days after use - or even 
weeks, in case of frequent users.

Maurer, who has been working in television for the past three years 
and is a University of Oregon graduate, said she didn't do anything 
wrong and felt the firing was discriminatory.

"I don't fit the lazy stupid loser stereotype," she said, adding 
she's a responsible user and has never come to work impaired.

KEZI general manager Mike Boring declined comment. "We do not discuss 
personnel matters," Boring said.

Recreational marijuana became legal in Oregon in July, after Maurer 
was fired. But even if the incident had happened after legalization, 
according to the state, KEZI still would have had the right to have a 
testing policy. Measure 91, which legalized possession and 
consumption, does not affect existing employment law. Employers who 
require drug testing can continue to do so, Oregon officials said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom