Man Fired Over Legal Pot Purchase Gets Job Back

The man first in line to buy recreational pot in Washington state lost his job over his purchase and then got it back after what his company calls a misunderstanding.

Mike Boyer, 30, took off work for the occasion and was the first person to legally buy marijuana Tuesday afternoon at the Spokane Green Leaf store in Spokane, Washington. After being spotted on the news by his boss, he was immediately ordered to take a drug test.

The company in question didn't know he took the day off and was under the impression that he showed up to work as a security guard under the influence of marijuana.

"We were not aware that he had taken the day off. He was scheduled to work, we saw him on TV that he was under the influence, and that caused us to start a process of screening," Vice President of Communications Stacey Burke told NBC News. "When we realized that he was not on assignment, we reinstated him. ... Pot is legal, and we know that."

Boyer had waited in line overnight and was the first into the store, ahead of more than 70 others who were also lined up.

“I wanted the title of being the first guy to buy legal marijuana in Spokane,'' Boyer told The Associated Press. “It only comes once in a lifetime.''

Boyer said he doesn't hold any ill will towards the company nor does he have any regrets.

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