The New Brunswick RCMP officer who smoked medically-prescribed marijuana while in uniform was forced to hand over his red serge on Friday.

Cpl. Ronald Francis arrived at RCMP headquarters in Fredericton weeping as he handed over the ceremonial uniform.

Francis, who has been on the force for more than 20 years, made news on Thursday after a video was released of him in his red serge smoking what appeared to be a joint. He says he has a “legal right” to smoke medically-prescribed marijuana while in uniform, despite objections from his employer.

Francis was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and says smoking pot is the only way he can relax and focus on his job.

Francis was recently prescribed the drug to help treat his PTSD symptoms. Because of his condition, he had been placed on administrative duties and no longer carried a weapon.

It was widely reported that on Thursday officers went to Francis’ home to seize his uniform and asked him to return his red serge on Friday by noon. While he returned the serge, he did not return a 20-year exemplary service medal he received, saying that was an honour he earned that cannot be taken away from him.

Francis still remains with the force, but is now on medical leave.

In a statement Friday, theRCMP’s Staff Relations Representative Program said it has “sympathy and empathy for any member facing medical issues, whether duty or non-duty related, whatever they may be.

“This said, we feel we would be negligent in our representation of all members not to voice our disappointment at the use of a uniform to advance a less than evident agenda. Our Red Serge is iconic to Canadians and held sacred by many members, both serving and retired.”

In an interview with CTV Atlantic on Thursday, Francis said he has “the legal right” to smoke medical marijuana in uniform.

The RCMP has said that it treats PTSD and other work-related injuries “very seriously,” but that Mounties who take “mind-altering” drugs, such as marijuana, cannot carry weapons or drive a police car.

In a news release Thursday, the RCMP didnot mention whether there is a specific policy prohibiting officers from smoking medical marijuana on the job.

The office of Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said that it has asked the RCMP commissioner to examine the issue.

With files from The Canadian Press