PRINCETON — The Princeton University employee who was told he would lose his job if he participated in the state's medical marijuana program has been placed on paid administrative leave until the sides can come to an agreement over "reasonable accommodations."

Don DeZarn, an East Windsor resident, returned to work today at Princeton’s campus dining department for the first time in nearly two weeks, after he informed the university that he would be purchasing and using medical marijuana to treat symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and post-traumatic stress disorder.

While his direct supervisors approved of his plan, a public safety official informed him that he could not work for Princeton while using the drug, even if he smoked marijuana at home.

“It’s the best job I’ve ever had. It’s a great place to work. I’m just hopeful that this whole thing has just been an oversight on someone’s part,” DeZarn said yesterday. “I hope somebody up the chain of command will look at what I’m requesting and have an open mind and some common sense.”

DeZarn arrived at work at 6 a.m. yesterday and met with the university’s human resources team at 8:30 a.m., who talked him through the process to request accommodations under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

After being placed on leave, DeZarn was directed to leave campus, he said.

Princeton spokesmen Martin Mbugua and Mike Caddell yesterday said the university would research options of providing reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Princeton University is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for employees who have a disability,” Caddell said. “The individual met with University administrators this morning to discuss the process.”

“He remains on paid leave while the university works with him through an interactive reasonable accommodation process,” Mbugua said.

In a Facebook post DeZarn wrote on Monday night, he said he would face whatever repercussions came from continuing in the medical marijuana program.

“I have decided that I will return to work at my regular position tomorrow and will conduct myself just like any other university employee,” DeZarn said. “When it becomes necessary to medicate with a medicine prescribed to me by a licensed physician, I will do just that.”

DeZarn has been a vocal marijuana proponent over the last two years as a political candidate, including an independent Congressional run in the 12th District this year and a Libertarian campaign in the 14th Legislative District in 2013.

While on the campaign trail last year, DeZarn was twice arrested on possession charges while attending marijuana legalization protests in Philadelphia.

But while DeZarn has said senior administrators have often complimented him on his support of the topic, human resources officials yesterday reiterated their position regarding the drug: Under the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, employers aren’t required to allow workers to use the drug in the workplace.

“The law seems to support an employer’s right to maintain a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting the use of marijuana during work hours as well as working while under the influence of marijuana,” university vice president Lianne Sullivan-Crowley wrote in an Aug. 27 letter.

DeZarn said he was prescribed a specific strain of marijuana that contains low amounts of THC, the intoxicating component of the drug, and higher amounts of CBD, an ingredient which studies have shown helps spasms, including those suffered by irritable bowel disease patients.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include from Don DeZarn and Princeton University.

Mike Davis may be reached at mdavis@njtimes.com. Follow him on Twitter @byMikeDavis. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.