Cartagena v. The Brooklyn Historical Society

**Cartagena v. The Brooklyn Historical Society** This case involved a dispute over public records access rather than traditional employment issues. Cartagena and other plaintiffs sued the Arizona Department of Health Services, seeking access to dispensary registration certificates related to medical marijuana businesses. The state agency refused to release these documents, claiming they were protected from disclosure under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act. The court sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that the Arizona Department of Health Services must release the dispensary registration certificates as public records. The court determined that these documents were not exempt from public disclosure requirements under state law. As a result, the plaintiffs were awarded $12,703.77 in attorney fees and costs for their successful legal challenge. This ruling matters for workers because it reinforces the principle of government transparency and public access to information. When government agencies must disclose business registration records, workers can better research potential employers in regulated industries like medical marijuana. This transparency helps workers make informed decisions about employment opportunities and understand which businesses are properly licensed and regulated by state authorities.