# Florida paramedic sues over legal medical marijuana use
*Angelo Giambrone busca reinstalación tras ser despedido, planteando conflicto entre leyes estatales y políticas federales.*

- Medio: Orlando Ledger News (https://orlandoledgernews.com)
- URL: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/paramedico-de-florida-demanda-por-uso-legal-de-marihuana-medica
- Sección: Justice
- Autor: Orlando Ledger News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-08-07T07:05:25.843Z
> Angelo Giambrone, a Hillsborough County paramedic fired for using medical marijuana, is taking his case to the Florida Supreme Court after winning an initial discrimination trial.

## Las claves

- A Tampa paramedic fired in 2019 for using medical marijuana is suing to be reinstated after an appeals court reversed a lower ruling.
- The case involves Hillsborough County and was decided by the Second District Court of Appeals with recent orders issued recently.
- Giambrone plans to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court, arguing federal reclassification supports his right to work while using medical marijuana.

A paramedic from the city of Tampa in Hillsborough County is bringing his case before the Florida Supreme Court after being fired for using medical marijuana. Angelo Giambrone was placed on unpaid administrative leave in 2019 after testing positive on a drug test. His legal fight seeks to reinstate him as a county employee, arguing that medical use is protected under recent state and federal laws.

### Conflict between local policies and federal changes

Giambrone sued the county for discrimination, claiming his doctor recommended marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and insomnia. In December 2024, Judge Melissa Polo ruled in favor of the paramedic, ordering the county to accommodate employees whose results were positive due to medical use. However, the Second District Court of Appeals reversed this decision in an order issued recently.

Judge Suzanne Labrit wrote that although a medical marijuana card resembles a prescription, it does not meet the requirements under the collective bargaining agreement for firefighters and paramedics. The court emphasized that its decision is narrow and affects only Hillsborough County and its specific labor agreements.

### State government's position and community

The Florida Attorney General’s office, led by James Uthmeier, filed an amicus brief arguing that the state has a "deep interest" in ensuring EMTs and paramedics remain drug-free. The statement noted that Floridians deserve to know that those who save their lives respect federal law and do not impair themselves cognitively during service, more context in [Candidate Sues Sen. Moody Over Hope Florida Scandal](/noticia/candidato-demanda-a-sen-moody-por-escandalo-hope-florida).

On the other hand, Local 2294 union supports a zero-tolerance policy for impairment at work but asserts that firefighters should not be punished for authorized medical treatments outside of working hours. Tim Pearson, president of the local, stated that the conversation must focus on fitness for duty and non-addictive treatments.

### Next legal steps

Giambrone plans to appeal this decision to the Florida Supreme Court. His attorney, Michael Minardi, argued that the Department of Health did not suspend or revoke the paramedic’s license, allowing him to continue providing life-saving services. With the federal government recently reclassifying medical products as Schedule III substances, Minardi argues there is no longer a basis for denying his reinstatement.
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Fuente original: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/paramedico-de-florida-demanda-por-uso-legal-de-marihuana-medica