'Suspicionless marijuana
testing never has been an evidence-based policy. Rather, these
discriminatory practices are a holdover from the zeitgeist of the 1980s
‘war on drugs.’ But times have changed; attitudes have changed, and in
many places, the marijuana laws have changed. It is time for workplace
policies to adapt to this new reality.' - Paul Armentano,Deputy Director, NORML
In most parts of the world today, if a person is found to have consumed cannabis at the workplace, or is known to have consumed cannabis in the past, he or she is likely to be severely reprimanded or even terminated from the job. Elon Musk smoking cannabis on a talk show resulted in his company's stock prices falling, and in regulators and investors reprimanding him. At the time of recruitment, many organizations drug test their would-be employees, and often past cannabis usage is a reason for disqualification. Industries involving hazardous jobs are particularly stringent. Things are further complicated by the fact that cannabis can remain in the system even a few weeks after consumption. Increasingly persons are consuming cannabis for medical reasons but face problems regarding this in the workplace. Yet there have always been many industries where cannabis consumption is accepted as the norm, especially in the creative areas like advertisement agencies, film industries, music industries and, more recently, in the technology industries.
Large sections of the working community who are involved in hard labour and under
adverse conditions, especially in cultures that used
cannabis traditionally, are however deprived of the plant and its amazing
restorative properties due to the myopic and selfish policies of
lawmakers worldwide. These persons currently resort to alcohol and
harmful dangerous alternatives like pharmaceutical drugs, with or
without prescriptions, in the hope of finding some relief at the end of a
hard day's work. This only results in damage to their health and
eventual ruin.
Traditionally, in India, until the 19th century,
cannabis was extensively used by persons involved in highly strenuous physical activity such as farmers, fishermen, palanquin bearers, etc. It was
also used by persons whose work demanded high concentration and fine
detailing work such as jewelers and artisans. It was used by wrestlers
and sports-persons. It was also widely used by religious mendicants who contemplated on the
divine through high levels of concentration and focus. For all these
persons, cannabis served to relieve fatigue and pain, concentrate and
focus their minds, as well as endure the hardships of their work
environment and adverse living conditions. With the prohibition of
cannabis worldwide, most of these persons lost their access to
cannabis.
According to the Indian Hemp Drug Commission Report of 1894, "
It may be said probably with safety that there is no class of the
community that does not to some extent partake of these drugs. At the
same time consumption is in the main confined to particular classes.
Ganja or charas is chiefly used by (I) "religious" persons, such as
fakirs and wandering mendicants, sadhus and pandahs, the followers of
Trinath, and other sects; (2) the lower classes of both Hindus and
Muhammadans, such as artizans and cultivators, fishermen and boatmen,
palki-bearers and day labourers, sepoys and night watchmen, wrestlers
and athletes, Chamars and Domes, and others of the lower orders; (3)
domestic servants of all kinds, especially those who, as syces, durwans,
or dhobis, have especially trying work to do; (4) aborigines of
different races, such as Sonthals, Gonds, and many more; (5) tradesmen,
Kayasths, and others of the lower middle classes. These are among the
classes specially mentioned by witnesses as smoking hemp drugs. Among
the upper classes this habit is generally regarded as exceptional and
indicating a special tendency to dissipation, but not so among these
lower classes. Bhang is also used to some extent by these classes, but
is more generally used by the more respectable middle and upper classes.
Among those who are specially mentioned as habitually using it are
Marwaris, Banias, and jewellers, sharp, intelligent, and successful tradesmenspecially mentioned by witnesses as smoking n feverish districts."
The recent wave of cannabis legalization has brought major changes to the workplace. At least 38 US states have legalized cannabis for medical use so far. The federal US government however continues to keep cannabis in the Schedule 1 list of banned substances saying that it has no medicinal value. The list of US states that have legalized adult recreational cannabis is available here. All these states have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use, aimed specifically at improving public health, ensuring equity, reducing crime, decreasing the black market, improving law enforcement, reforming criminal justice, improving the economy, agriculture and industry, to name just a few reasons. Canada, Malta, Luxembourg and Uruguay have legalized recreational use at the national level. Official global figures for number of cannabis users is in the range of 250+ million, though actual numbers are likely to be more than twice this figure. The stereotypes around the cannabis consumer are fast disappearing as awareness increases that all kinds of people consume cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes. With the increase in communication technology, the history of cannabis usage, its prevalence, the prejudices and opposition towards it are becoming increasingly known. Business leaders are starting to embrace cannabis. Some are coming out in the open in support of it and others are joining the newly emerging cannabis businesses in leadership roles.
With the reemergence of the plant, a new set of modern workers are starting to access it for their benefit.
The service industry, in particular, has seen a spike in recreational cannabis usage due to the anxiety and stress of direct customer interactions. This change in workplace attitude is visible in as diverse areas of employment as the police force and sports associations. Sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL have started taking a more relaxed approach to cannabis usage keeping in line with the changes in society around them. Even police forces are starting to see changes in recreational cannabis policies for off duty officers in legal places like Canada. Industries adopting strict policies with regard to cannabis consumption in the workplace are facing a shortage of labor since finding cannabis free individuals is increasingly getting more difficult. Many employers have started taking the pragmatic approach of not testing for cannabis at the workplace, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Goldman Sachs, to name a few. Others are implementing approaches such as testing for impairment rather than consumption and that too only if the task involves safety and hazardous work. This is a much more realistic approach since many people now consume cannabis for medical purposes, in addition to recreational off duty use, to relax, sleep better, handle depression, obesity, diabetes, and de-stress. Employers are starting to understand that cannabis is much safer and healthier than alcohol, tobacco, opioid painkillers or powerful and dangerous drugs and that cannabis usage may be a welcome thing to safeguard the health among its employees. The cities of Philadelphia, Denver, New York, Atlanta, Washington DC and Seattle have banned pre-employment screening for cannabis for their employees. At least 15 US states have laws that protect an employee using cannabis for medical purposes from being punished by employers.
The federal US government grapples with comical situations as it struggles to wrap its hypocritical head around cannabis legalization. Recently, White House staffers, who were asked to come out in the open regarding their past cannabis usage, did so thinking that the Biden government would be more tolerant, only to find themselves losing their jobs. The FBI stated that it would relax restrictions on new recruits, allowing those who have not used cannabis in the past year to join, as against an earlier requirement of no cannabis usage for the last three years. Then there were reports that those who have used cannabis less than 24 times would be considered eligible.
With the fake pandemic, Covid, much of the world's workforce ended up working from home. The concept of cannabis in the workplace took on a whole new meaning. I am sure that many employees actively consumed cannabis while working from home, as clearly evidenced from the spike in cannabis sales in the US and Canada during Covid, as well as the fact that cannabis was declared an essential service in many US states with legalized cannabis. Home delivery of cannabis became popular. This helped to counter the increased stress, anxiety and uncertainty of that period. For the majority of the world's people living in places with cannabis prohibition, however, there was no access to cannabis during this stressful period.
With the increasing option of being able to work from home, an employee can now relax and work more effectively. Things are even better with the option of cannabis available for home delivery in some places. All these changes regarding cannabis will go a long way in improving the health of the individual and this should result in increased productivity. It is very important that cannabis be legalized once again world wide for recreational use, and for home growing for personal consumption, to provide the much needed relief for the vast majority of the working human population who continue to work in increasingly difficult, painful and inhuman conditions. The banning of cannabis and the dismissal of employees on the basis of their cannabis usage in their free time, is a clearly discriminatory practice that employers use to establish their various racial, ethnic, social and economic biases against their employees, current and potential. Employers need to recognize that having their workforce at the peak of physical and mental health is one of the most critical factors for the success of an organization, and for this there is no better medicine than cannabis.
Related articles
The following set of articles related to the subject are taken from various media. Words in italics are the thoughts of yours truly at the time of reading the article.The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a large-scale defense bill that includes a section to prevent military branches from testing recruits for marijuana as a condition of enlistment has been left intact, despite opposition from the White House.
While the House Rules Committee on Tuesday blocked a number of pro- and anti-cannabis amendments from floor consideration, the full chamber’s approval of the underlying bill means the military marijuana screening section, as well as psychedelics report language, is advancing.
The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a 217-199 vote on Friday.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/u-s-house-votes-to-ban-military-from-testing-recruits-for-marijuana-as-a-condition-of-enrollment/
A positive test for cannabis can no longer disqualify you for most jobs in Washington state.
What's happening: A new law that took effect Monday bans most employers from denying someone a job based on a drug screening that turns up traces of cannabis.
Why it matters: Inactive THC metabolites from cannabis can remain in urine samples for days or weeks, long after someone is no longer impaired.
While recreational marijuana use has been legal in Washington state for more than a decade, until now it's also been legal for employers to refuse to hire people who test positive for using the drug.
Details: The new law covers most employers in Washington, but there are some exceptions, including law enforcement agencies, fire departments, 911 dispatch centers and airlines.
Zoom out: Recreational marijuana use is now legal in about half of U.S. states.
Some, including Nevada and California, have adopted laws similar to Washington's limiting pre-employment cannabis screening, according to NORML, a national group that advocates for marijuana law reform.
While the House Rules Committee on Tuesday blocked a number of pro- and anti-cannabis amendments from floor consideration, the full chamber’s approval of the underlying bill means the military marijuana screening section, as well as psychedelics report language, is advancing.
The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a 217-199 vote on Friday.
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/u-s-house-votes-to-ban-military-from-testing-recruits-for-marijuana-as-a-condition-of-enrollment/
A positive test for cannabis can no longer disqualify you for most jobs in Washington state.
What's happening: A new law that took effect Monday bans most employers from denying someone a job based on a drug screening that turns up traces of cannabis.
Why it matters: Inactive THC metabolites from cannabis can remain in urine samples for days or weeks, long after someone is no longer impaired.
While recreational marijuana use has been legal in Washington state for more than a decade, until now it's also been legal for employers to refuse to hire people who test positive for using the drug.
Details: The new law covers most employers in Washington, but there are some exceptions, including law enforcement agencies, fire departments, 911 dispatch centers and airlines.
Zoom out: Recreational marijuana use is now legal in about half of U.S. states.
Some, including Nevada and California, have adopted laws similar to Washington's limiting pre-employment cannabis screening, according to NORML, a national group that advocates for marijuana law reform.
Paul Armentano, NORML's deputy director, said in a news release last year that it's long past time for companies "to cease punishing employees for activities they engage in during their off-hours that pose no workplace safety threat." He said that people who use cannabis legally should be held to a similar standard as those who use alcohol responsibly on their own time.
https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/01/03/washington-state-law-ban-marijuana-testing-weed-pre-employment
Construction employers are familiar with alcohol impairment as a workplace hazard, Mr. Allen said, but identifying marijuana intoxication can be more difficult, as the signs tend to be more subtle.
And there’s pushback: A 2020 review published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse stated that evidence doesn’t seem to support the position that cannabis users are at an increased risk of occupational injury.
Some states are beginning to put in place protections for workers who use recreational marijuana outside of work, further tying the hands of employers, Mr. Allen said.
California, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island have enacted workplace protections limiting employers’ ability to test for off-the-job marijuana use, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20231101/STORY/912360629/Construction-sector-contends-with-legal-marijuana-at-work
Currently, 41 percent of all US truck drivers reside in a jurisdiction where the adult use of marijuana is legal.
Federal law mandates that commercially licensed drivers be subject to both pre-employment and random marijuana urinalysis testing, which detects the presence of the inert carboxy-THC metabolite. This non-psychoactive metabolite can be detectable in subjects’ urine for weeks or even months following past exposure, long after any potential effects have worn off.
According to data published this summer in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, employees who consume cannabis during their off-hours possess no greater risk of occupational injury than do those who abstain from marijuana altogether.
Since 2020, over 100,000 truck drivers have tested positive for past exposure to marijuana. The majority of those positive tests came via pre-employment screening. Those who fail random tests are required to enter a ‘return to work’ program, which includes passing a drug test, in order to have their license reinstated. However, only about one-quarter of those with drug test failures have done so — resulting in driver shortages and supply chain issues.
The survey’s authors acknowledged that existing federal testing regulations are contributing to significant numbers of truck drivers leaving the industry while also dissuading new workers from entering it.
They concluded: “The federal prohibition of marijuana use by CDL holders has been highlighted as a potential disincentive for drivers to stay in the industry. … Marijuana [also] contributes to a higher percentage of positive drug tests in the pre-employment category than in the overall testing data – on average 71.1 percent of positive drug tests are positive for marijuana. Therefore, past use of marijuana – which may have been up to 30 days prior to the test – is filtering out a significant number of potential truck drivers from the industry.”
https://norml.org/blog/2023/10/10/survey-most-truck-drivers-and-their-carriers-favor-changes-in-federal-marijuana-testing-rules/
'Researchers affiliated with the University of Chicago and with Tarleton University in Texas assessed the daily use of CBD in a cohort of over 1,000 adults. Most of the study’s participants reported having consumed full-spectrum CBD tinctures for at least one year.
Investigators concluded: “In this large-sample study, self-dosing [with] CBD was not associated with an increased prevalence of elevation of LT [liver tests] or low levels of TT [total testosterone] in men. Furthermore, CBD administration decreased DD [daytime drowsiness] and was associated with a lower prevalence of low testosterone levels in older men as compared to age-adjusted population norms. … [I]n those over 45 years of age, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was significantly lower than that of the general population.”
Several population-based studies have reported that cannabis consumers typically possess lower BMI and other favorable indices related to diabetic control. Observational studies have also shown that the past use of cannabis is significantly associated with lower odds of diabetes in adults.
Data published in 2021 similarly determined that the repeated use of oral CBD products is not associated with liver abnormalities, such as the elevated production of the enzyme alanine transaminase.'
https://norml.org/news/2023/04/06/study-daily-use-of-cbd-tinctures-associated-with-decreased-daytime-drowsiness-no-increased-risk-of-liver-disease/
Investigators concluded: “In this large-sample study, self-dosing [with] CBD was not associated with an increased prevalence of elevation of LT [liver tests] or low levels of TT [total testosterone] in men. Furthermore, CBD administration decreased DD [daytime drowsiness] and was associated with a lower prevalence of low testosterone levels in older men as compared to age-adjusted population norms. … [I]n those over 45 years of age, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was significantly lower than that of the general population.”
Several population-based studies have reported that cannabis consumers typically possess lower BMI and other favorable indices related to diabetic control. Observational studies have also shown that the past use of cannabis is significantly associated with lower odds of diabetes in adults.
Data published in 2021 similarly determined that the repeated use of oral CBD products is not associated with liver abnormalities, such as the elevated production of the enzyme alanine transaminase.'
https://norml.org/news/2023/04/06/study-daily-use-of-cbd-tinctures-associated-with-decreased-daytime-drowsiness-no-increased-risk-of-liver-disease/
'Since there’s no device that can test for active impairment—and tests for THC metabolites can show traces of marijuana for weeks after a person consumes marijuana—employers must show that a given worker “manifests specific articulable symptoms of impairment” in order punish them over on-duty marijuana use.
Those symptoms must “decrease or lessen the performance of their duties or tasks” and “interfere with an employer’s obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace, free from recognized hazards, as required by state and federal occupational safety and health laws,” DOL said.
“Observable signs of use that do not indicate impairment on their own cannot be cited as an articulable symptom of impairment. Only symptoms that provide objectively observable indications that the employee’s performance of the essential duties or tasks of their position are decreased or lessened may be cited.”'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-employers-cant-drug-test-most-workers-for-marijuana-state-announces/
Those symptoms must “decrease or lessen the performance of their duties or tasks” and “interfere with an employer’s obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace, free from recognized hazards, as required by state and federal occupational safety and health laws,” DOL said.
“Observable signs of use that do not indicate impairment on their own cannot be cited as an articulable symptom of impairment. Only symptoms that provide objectively observable indications that the employee’s performance of the essential duties or tasks of their position are decreased or lessened may be cited.”'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-employers-cant-drug-test-most-workers-for-marijuana-state-announces/
'Attorney John Birmingham, who represents a network of national auto suppliers, says he wouldn't be surprised if GM does take away pre-employment drug screening for marijuana.
"As more states provide some protection for people who smoke marijuana, I think companies like General Motors will have to adjust their policies as a consequence of that," Birmingham said.'
https://www.wxyz.com/news/some-companies-look-to-drop-marijuana-testing-for-new-hires
"As more states provide some protection for people who smoke marijuana, I think companies like General Motors will have to adjust their policies as a consequence of that," Birmingham said.'
https://www.wxyz.com/news/some-companies-look-to-drop-marijuana-testing-for-new-hires
'Cannabis treatment for work-related health conditions that are unresponsive to conventional medical treatments may increase as more workers petition state courts and administrative agencies for cannabis WCI reimbursement. Descheduling of cannabis on the U.S. federal level would likely accelerate the use of cannabis where it is determined to be a reasonable and necessary treatment for difficult-to-manage work-related health conditions. Anticipating the future trends in the United States and internationally, cannabis use in workers’ compensation is an emerging occupational health and safety issue that deserves research attention.'
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/09/30/wci-cannabis/
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/09/30/wci-cannabis/
'So, why is Amazon so interested in legalizing weed in the US?
At least part of the answer has to do with the Amazon warehouses, known as fulfillment centers, that employ the vast majority of Amazon's hourly workforce.
In its announcement on Tuesday, Amazon senior VP of human resources Beth Galetti directly attributed the company's interest in cannabis legalization to hiring: "Eliminating pre-employment testing for cannabis allows us to expand our applicant pool," she said.'
https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/why-amazon-wants-to-make-sure-everyone-knows-its-totally-cool-with-smoking-pot-now/articleshow/86407710.cms
At least part of the answer has to do with the Amazon warehouses, known as fulfillment centers, that employ the vast majority of Amazon's hourly workforce.
In its announcement on Tuesday, Amazon senior VP of human resources Beth Galetti directly attributed the company's interest in cannabis legalization to hiring: "Eliminating pre-employment testing for cannabis allows us to expand our applicant pool," she said.'
https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/why-amazon-wants-to-make-sure-everyone-knows-its-totally-cool-with-smoking-pot-now/articleshow/86407710.cms
'Previously, prospective employees of the agency could not have used marijuana within the past three years.
But at some point within the last month, FBI set a new, seemingly arbitrary threshold for applicants. Use marijuana up to two dozen times after becoming a legal adult? You might still have what it takes to work at one of the nation’s leading law enforcement agencies. Smoke a joint a 25th time? You’re ineligible.
That said, consumption prior to one’s 18th birthday is “not a disqualifier for FBI employment,” the agency said. Instead, “adjudicative personnel will evaluate the candidate by using the ‘whole-person concept.’”
Why the agency decided to add the new, frequency-related restriction is unclear. But its overall loosening of the rules on prior marijuana use this summer might be more of a practical decision than one that necessarily reflects shifting opinions on cannabis within the agency.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fbi-clarifies-that-using-marijuana-more-than-24-times-disqualifies-would-be-agents/
But at some point within the last month, FBI set a new, seemingly arbitrary threshold for applicants. Use marijuana up to two dozen times after becoming a legal adult? You might still have what it takes to work at one of the nation’s leading law enforcement agencies. Smoke a joint a 25th time? You’re ineligible.
That said, consumption prior to one’s 18th birthday is “not a disqualifier for FBI employment,” the agency said. Instead, “adjudicative personnel will evaluate the candidate by using the ‘whole-person concept.’”
Why the agency decided to add the new, frequency-related restriction is unclear. But its overall loosening of the rules on prior marijuana use this summer might be more of a practical decision than one that necessarily reflects shifting opinions on cannabis within the agency.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fbi-clarifies-that-using-marijuana-more-than-24-times-disqualifies-would-be-agents/
'In Tuesday’s blog, Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president of human resources, wrote of three reasons for the changes:
- It’s difficult to implement an equitable national marijuana testing program when an increasing number of states are legalizing.
- National data indicates preemployment marijuana screening disproportionately affects people of color.
- Eliminating preemployment testing enables the company to expand its applicant pool.
Galetti wrote that having equitable hiring practices for all candidates is a social responsibility and furthers Amazon’s goal to be a leader and one of the world’s top employers.
“We are enthused by the notable momentum in the country toward recognizing that today’s status quo is unfair and untenable,” Galetti concluded.
“We look forward to working with Congress and other supporters to secure necessary reform of the nation’s cannabis laws.”'
https://mjbizdaily.com/amazon-expands-on-support-for-federal-marijuana-reform-workplace-equity/
- It’s difficult to implement an equitable national marijuana testing program when an increasing number of states are legalizing.
- National data indicates preemployment marijuana screening disproportionately affects people of color.
- Eliminating preemployment testing enables the company to expand its applicant pool.
Galetti wrote that having equitable hiring practices for all candidates is a social responsibility and furthers Amazon’s goal to be a leader and one of the world’s top employers.
“We are enthused by the notable momentum in the country toward recognizing that today’s status quo is unfair and untenable,” Galetti concluded.
“We look forward to working with Congress and other supporters to secure necessary reform of the nation’s cannabis laws.”'
https://mjbizdaily.com/amazon-expands-on-support-for-federal-marijuana-reform-workplace-equity/
'How do you start your day working from home? For me, it begins with about 15-20 minutes of lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. These days, I spend those precious morning moments performing an exercise in confusion and anxiety. I look through the email alerts I received overnight. I groan at the weather. I read the news headlines. Then, I hit the early morning traffic to my couch where I open my computer.
I gotta be honest. While working from home hasn’t hurt my work quality, it has made my day-to-day feel less fulfilling. I miss the normalcy I have built from commutes and coworkers. I miss the boundaries of a physical office. It recently got to the point where I missed having the creative drive needed to progress on personal writing projects, leaving me feeling guilty and even more pessimistic about the world.
But it all changed for me with one simple addition to my routine: microdose edibles.'
https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/microdosing-work-from-home-happiness
I gotta be honest. While working from home hasn’t hurt my work quality, it has made my day-to-day feel less fulfilling. I miss the normalcy I have built from commutes and coworkers. I miss the boundaries of a physical office. It recently got to the point where I missed having the creative drive needed to progress on personal writing projects, leaving me feeling guilty and even more pessimistic about the world.
But it all changed for me with one simple addition to my routine: microdose edibles.'
https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/microdosing-work-from-home-happiness
'In one of the latest signs that the cannabis reform movement is having a federal impact as more states enact legalization, FBI quietly updated its hiring policies within the past month to make it so candidates are only automatically disqualified from joining the agency if they admit to having used marijuana within one year of applying.
Previously, prospective employees of the agency could not have used cannabis within the past three years.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fbi-loosens-marijuana-employment-policy-for-would-be-agents/
Previously, prospective employees of the agency could not have used cannabis within the past three years.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fbi-loosens-marijuana-employment-policy-for-would-be-agents/
'Amazon certainly wasn't the first major corporation to arrive at the cannabis reform party, but it sure made one of the biggest entrances to-date when it publicly pledged to relax its drug testing policies and also to back federal legalization efforts.
And now it's a question of how many others will follow — especially during a time when some firms are desperate for workers.
Amazon (AMZN) kicked off June with an announcement that it would stop testing for cannabis metabolites as part of its drug screening program for positions not regulated by the US Department of Transportation. The company also said it would back the federal Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, a recently reintroduced bill aimed at descheduling marijuana and reassessing some past cannabis-related convictions.'
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/23/business/amazon-drug-test-cannabis-paradigm-shifting/index.html
And now it's a question of how many others will follow — especially during a time when some firms are desperate for workers.
Amazon (AMZN) kicked off June with an announcement that it would stop testing for cannabis metabolites as part of its drug screening program for positions not regulated by the US Department of Transportation. The company also said it would back the federal Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, a recently reintroduced bill aimed at descheduling marijuana and reassessing some past cannabis-related convictions.'
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/23/business/amazon-drug-test-cannabis-paradigm-shifting/index.html
'U.S. cannabis industry and federal lawmakers take notice: The nation’s second-largest company is embracing nationwide marijuana legalization.
Online retail giant Amazon on Wednesday endorsed the U.S. House of Representatives’ federal marijuana reform bill and said it would no longer include cannabis in its drug screening process except for positions regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In a blog post, Dave Clark, Amazon’s CEO of worldwide consumer, said the Seattle-based company’s public policy team will actively support the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021 (MORE Act).'
https://mjbizdaily.com/amazon-endorses-federal-marijuana-legalization-softens-drug-testing-policy/
Online retail giant Amazon on Wednesday endorsed the U.S. House of Representatives’ federal marijuana reform bill and said it would no longer include cannabis in its drug screening process except for positions regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In a blog post, Dave Clark, Amazon’s CEO of worldwide consumer, said the Seattle-based company’s public policy team will actively support the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021 (MORE Act).'
https://mjbizdaily.com/amazon-endorses-federal-marijuana-legalization-softens-drug-testing-policy/
'Amazon will now “no longer include marijuana in our comprehensive drug screening program for any positions not regulated by the Department of Transportation, and will instead treat it the same as alcohol use.” It will continue to do impairment checks on the job and will test for all drugs, including cannabis and alcohol, after any incident.
The move by one of the U.S.’s largest employers will lead to a significant reduction on the number of workers in the country who face the prospect of being fired simply for using cannabis at home while not on the clock.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/amazon-to-stop-testing-many-workers-for-marijuana-and-will-lobby-congress-for-federal-legalization/
The move by one of the U.S.’s largest employers will lead to a significant reduction on the number of workers in the country who face the prospect of being fired simply for using cannabis at home while not on the clock.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/amazon-to-stop-testing-many-workers-for-marijuana-and-will-lobby-congress-for-federal-legalization/
'Council members decided 15 to 1 in favor of the measure, Bill No. 200625, which “prohibits employers from requiring prospective employees to undergo testing for the presence of marijuana as a condition of employment, under certain terms and conditions.” Employees in certain safety sensitive positions, such as police officers and/or those who supervise children or medical patients, will be exempt from the policy, as will those mandated to be drug tested under federal drug testing guidelines. City Mayor Jim Kenney is expected to sign the bill into law. It would take effect on January 1, 2022.'
https://norml.org/blog/2021/04/23/philadelphia-city-council-votes-to-prohibit-pre-employment-drug-screening-for-cannabis/
https://norml.org/blog/2021/04/23/philadelphia-city-council-votes-to-prohibit-pre-employment-drug-screening-for-cannabis/
'Assured by transition staff that Biden’s team was more understanding of recreational marijuana use than past White Houses have been, young staffers had disclosed marijuana use in documents which were part of their lengthy background checks, something standard for employees at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
But some of those same staffers were disappointed and frustrated when they were later suspended or asked to resign from their roles at the White House over long-past use of the drug.
The unfairness of the apparent turnaround especially stings when Vice President Kamala Harris openly talked about past marijuana use on the campaign trail, telling radio host Charlamagne tha God she has smoked, “and I did inhale,” she added, giggling.'
https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/03/22/editorial-white-house-in-the-weeds-on-pot-use/
But some of those same staffers were disappointed and frustrated when they were later suspended or asked to resign from their roles at the White House over long-past use of the drug.
The unfairness of the apparent turnaround especially stings when Vice President Kamala Harris openly talked about past marijuana use on the campaign trail, telling radio host Charlamagne tha God she has smoked, “and I did inhale,” she added, giggling.'
https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/03/22/editorial-white-house-in-the-weeds-on-pot-use/
'Authors concluded: “The present study provides empirical evidence on the consequences of marijuana legalization on issues related to the labor market outcomes, in particular, WC [workers compensation] claiming of older adults. … Our findings suggest potentially important benefits to older workers and society at large. Broadly, we show non-trivial improvements in work capacity, which we proxy with WC benefit receipt and various other metrics in our mechanism analysis, among older adults.”'
https://norml.org/blog/2021/02/18/study-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-laws-associated-with-declines-in-workers-compensation-claims/
https://norml.org/blog/2021/02/18/study-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-laws-associated-with-declines-in-workers-compensation-claims/
'Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an executive order this week suspending pre-employment drug screenings for public employees in non-safety sensitive positions. The citywide order is similar to legislative changes enacted recently in several other municipalities – including New York City and Washington, DC – that have also eliminated drug screening for marijuana and other controlled substances as a condition of employment.
The Mayor categorized the drug testing requirements as “outdated and costly barriers to onboarding new talent in the city of Atlanta.”'
https://norml.org/news/2021/01/28/atlanta-mayor-takes-executive-action-abolishing-pre-employment-drug-screens-for-many-public-employees
The Mayor categorized the drug testing requirements as “outdated and costly barriers to onboarding new talent in the city of Atlanta.”'
https://norml.org/news/2021/01/28/atlanta-mayor-takes-executive-action-abolishing-pre-employment-drug-screens-for-many-public-employees
'Those with a history of cannabis use over the past year are no more likely than non-users to experience an injury at work, according to data published in the journal Occupational Medicine.
A team of investigators affiliated with the University of Toronto, Department of Occupational Medicine, assessed the relationship between past-year cannabis use and work-related injuries in a population-based sample of over 136,500 Canadian workers.'
https://norml.org/blog/2020/10/29/study-past-year-marijuana-use-not-associated-with-elevated-risk-of-workplace-injury/
A team of investigators affiliated with the University of Toronto, Department of Occupational Medicine, assessed the relationship between past-year cannabis use and work-related injuries in a population-based sample of over 136,500 Canadian workers.'
https://norml.org/blog/2020/10/29/study-past-year-marijuana-use-not-associated-with-elevated-risk-of-workplace-injury/
'Hair follicle testing is well established to possesses limited probative value, which is why it has never gained a particularly strong foothold in the general workplace. Federal authorities have also rejected the inclusion of hair follicle testing in the federal workplace drug testing guidelines on multiple occasions dating back decades. The newly proposed rules explicitly recognize the technology’s many limitations, acknowledging that “a positive hair test alone, without corroborating evidence, may be vulnerable to legal challenge.”
If the plan is adopted, HHS estimates that hair follicle testing will be some eight-times more expensive than traditional urinalysis, and that it will likely only be utilized in “approximately one percent of the 275,000 specimens tested per year.”'
https://norml.org/news/2020/09/17/norml-slams-proposed-changes-to-federal-drug-testing-rules-to-permit-hair-follicle-analysis
If the plan is adopted, HHS estimates that hair follicle testing will be some eight-times more expensive than traditional urinalysis, and that it will likely only be utilized in “approximately one percent of the 275,000 specimens tested per year.”'
https://norml.org/news/2020/09/17/norml-slams-proposed-changes-to-federal-drug-testing-rules-to-permit-hair-follicle-analysis
'Authors concluded, “[C]ontrary to commonly held assumptions, not all forms of cannabis use harmed performance. In fact, after-work cannabis use did not relate to any of the workplace performance dimensions. This finding casts doubt on some stereotypes of cannabis users and suggests a need for further methodological and theoretical development in the field of substance use.”
Commenting on the study’s findings, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Suspicionless marijuana testing never has been an evidence-based policy. Rather, these discriminatory practices are a holdover from the zeitgeist of the 1980s ‘war on drugs.’ But times have changed; attitudes have changed, and in many places, the marijuana laws have changed. It is time for workplace policies to adapt to this new reality.”'
https://norml.org/news/2020/08/20/study-after-hours-marijuana-use-doesnt-negatively-impact-job-performance
Commenting on the study’s findings, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Suspicionless marijuana testing never has been an evidence-based policy. Rather, these discriminatory practices are a holdover from the zeitgeist of the 1980s ‘war on drugs.’ But times have changed; attitudes have changed, and in many places, the marijuana laws have changed. It is time for workplace policies to adapt to this new reality.”'
https://norml.org/news/2020/08/20/study-after-hours-marijuana-use-doesnt-negatively-impact-job-performance
'It states, "No employer may refuse to hire, discipline, discharge or otherwise penalize an applicant or employee solely on the basis of a positive test for marijuana components or metabolites."
Oklahoma is the fifteenth state to explicitly protect medical cannabis patients from workplace discrimination, according to California NORML.'
https://norml.org/news/2019/08/29/oklahoma-expanded-protections-for-cannabis-patients-take-effect
'Results: Seven of the 16 reviewed studies show evidence supporting a positive association between cannabis use and occupational injury. One study shows evidence supporting a negative association and the remaining eight studies show no evidence of a significant relation. None of the studies assessed cannabis-related impairment. Only three of the reviewed studies show clear evidence that cannabis use preceded the occupational-injury event. Conclusion: The current body of evidence does not provide sufficient evidence to support the position that cannabis users are at increased risk of occupational injury. Further, the study quality assessment suggests significant biases in the extant literature are present due to potential confounding variables, selection of participants, and measurement of exposures and outcomes. Future high-quality evidence will be needed to elucidate the relation between cannabis use and occupational injury'
Oklahoma is the fifteenth state to explicitly protect medical cannabis patients from workplace discrimination, according to California NORML.'
https://norml.org/news/2019/08/29/oklahoma-expanded-protections-for-cannabis-patients-take-effect
'Results: Seven of the 16 reviewed studies show evidence supporting a positive association between cannabis use and occupational injury. One study shows evidence supporting a negative association and the remaining eight studies show no evidence of a significant relation. None of the studies assessed cannabis-related impairment. Only three of the reviewed studies show clear evidence that cannabis use preceded the occupational-injury event. Conclusion: The current body of evidence does not provide sufficient evidence to support the position that cannabis users are at increased risk of occupational injury. Further, the study quality assessment suggests significant biases in the extant literature are present due to potential confounding variables, selection of participants, and measurement of exposures and outcomes. Future high-quality evidence will be needed to elucidate the relation between cannabis use and occupational injury'
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32441179/?dopt=Abstract
'Investigators determined that most of the existing literature on the subject is limited by poor research designs. Specifically, few studies "employed research designs that ensured that cannabis use preceded the occupational injury outcome." Others failed to adequately assess or control for confounding variables, such as the concurrent use of alcohol or other psychoactive substances.
Due to these limitations, authors concluded, "[T]he current body of evidence does not provide sufficient evidence to support the position that cannabis users are at increased risk of occupational injury."
Their finding is consistent with that of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine which conducted its own literature review in 2017 and concluded, "There is no or insufficient evidence to support ... a statistical association between cannabis use and ... occupational accidents or injuries."'
https://norml.org/news/2020/06/04/cannabis-consumers-at-no-greater-risk-of-occupational-injuries
'Investigators determined that most of the existing literature on the subject is limited by poor research designs. Specifically, few studies "employed research designs that ensured that cannabis use preceded the occupational injury outcome." Others failed to adequately assess or control for confounding variables, such as the concurrent use of alcohol or other psychoactive substances.
Due to these limitations, authors concluded, "[T]he current body of evidence does not provide sufficient evidence to support the position that cannabis users are at increased risk of occupational injury."
Their finding is consistent with that of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine which conducted its own literature review in 2017 and concluded, "There is no or insufficient evidence to support ... a statistical association between cannabis use and ... occupational accidents or injuries."'
https://norml.org/news/2020/06/04/cannabis-consumers-at-no-greater-risk-of-occupational-injuries
'Analyzing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 1992 to 2015, a team of researchers found that workplace deaths declined by about 34 percent five years after a state legalized medical cannabis. The trend was most pronounced among workers between the ages of 25 and 44.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/workplace-deaths-drop-after-states-legalize-medical-marijuana/
'If you or anyone you know has ever worked in a restaurant, you likely know how stressful it can be. Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise, then, that "food preparation and serving" workers report using more marijuana than any other occupation — at least in Colorado in 2014-2015, when the drug was first legalized for recreational use in adults. '
https://www.livescience.com/62296-food-service-smoke-most-legal-marijuana.html
'It’s become increasingly clear that there’s no single “type” of marijuana consumer. But research has identified certain cultural trends, including a new study that examines the prevalence of cannabis consumption among workers in different industries.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/workers-in-these-industries-are-most-likely-to-consume-marijuana/
'Despite the chatter, officials said Wednesday that no new rules will be rolled out over the next week. Instead, companies are only being told to set up their own substance use policies that clearly lay out what is allowed and the consequences if someone is impaired.'
https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/10/10/labour-employer-groups-say-feds-to-pass-on-rules-for-weed-in-the-workplace/#.W8B3LBDhXIW
24 hours sounds much more reasonable than 28 days...
'The policy, made public today, says Correctional Service employees must be fit to perform their duties and cannot be intoxicated or impaired by drugs, alcohol or other substances when at work.
In addition, employees in “safety-sensitive” positions – everyone from correctional officers who patrol the ranges up to wardens and the commissioner – must refrain from cannabis use for a full day before work.'
https://globalnews.ca/news/4533489/prison-guards-cannabis-regulations/
'This was recently brought to light in the popular SubReddit r/AskReddit/. One user posted the question, “Successful people who smoke weed, how often do you smoke, what is your career, and how much do you make?” Within less than 14 hours the thread received more than 240 comments, with users sharing their stories regarding their work, their salary and their use of cannabis.'
Legalize ganja in Punjab so that people including government employees can use it as a healthier alternative to fatal opioid drugs. Legalize it to save the exchequer money and legalize it to improve the health of the common man, legislators and MPs.
'“The cost of a screening kit is around Rs. 500. The State has about 3,50,000 employees and we expect to spend about Rs. 20-25 crore,” he says. A confirmatory test would raise the expenditure manifold. While many employees don’t see a problem with a test, some see it as a move to deflect attention from the recent drug related deaths. “We welcome the test but it should be done for everyone who draws salary from the exchequer. Let legislators and MPs be covered,” says Sukhchain Singh Khaira, president, Punjab Civil Secretariat Staff Association.'
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/punjab-set-to-take-on-drug-menace-with-dope-test-for-all-staff/article24363538.ece
'With a growing economy and a low unemployment rate of 4.2%, many California companies face a shortage of qualified workers. Legal marijuana is making hiring even harder for those who take a strict stance on screening for drugs. So, increasingly, they’re not testing — or ignoring some of the results. “You watch what’s going on in society. You look at recruiting, and you say, ‘We’ve got to adjust,’” said Marc Cannon, a spokesman for AutoNation, the largest U.S. car retailer. The company, with 26,000 employees nationwide and 55 California outlets, stopped screening for cannabis three years ago.
“A lot of great candidates were failing the test,” Cannon added.
“There are people who drink and are great workers, but they don’t do it on the job. Marijuana is just like alcohol.”'
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-marijuana-drug-test-hiring-20190412-story.html
'Although marijuana is legal for recreational use in many states, including California, it remains illegal for federal employees or contractors with security clearances, a point reiterated most recently in 2014 in a government-wide memo issued by then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, which remains in effect.
Clapper’s October 2014 memo says “an individual’s disregard of federal law pertaining to the use, sale or manufacture of marijuana remains relevant” in reviewing whether a security clearance must be reevaluated.'
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-07/musk-s-secret-clearance-said-to-get-pentagon-review-over-pot-use
'Another business is joining those aiming to ease the pain of the partial government shutdown for federal workers — a marijuana marketplace says it’s giving away free weed.
BudTrader.com, which describes itself as the “largest online cannabis marketplace” and has been dubbed the "Craigslist of weed," will offer free medical marijuana to government workers who can’t pay because of the shutdown.'
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/426426-pot-website-offers-free-medical-marijuana-to-government-workers
'Fewer Colorado employers are testing employees for marijuana use, and more are reducing penalties for a positive test, says a new survey by the Employers Council, a Denver human resources organization.
Five years after Coloradans legalized recreational pot sales, 9 percent of 371 drug-testing employers surveyed by the Employers Council said they had relaxed their testing policy for the drug.
That’s a big change. Just after legalization, 21 percent of employers surveyed said they were beefing up their testing policies.'
https://gazette.com/business/survey-colorado-employers-relaxing-marijuana-testing/article_a7b21e10-3c64-11e9-ad11-3ff1ec7c5fbb.html
https://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/item/marijuana-legalization-and-impact-on-the-workplace
'Nationwide, the rate of workers testing positive for drugs has increased over the past decade, according to Quest Diagnostics, a major drug-testing laboratory. It has also risen in states that have made the drug legal. But the rate of increase has been about the same across the two categories, said Barry Sample, Quest's senior director for science and technology.'
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/legal-marijuana-hasnt-led-to-epidemic-of-high-workers/
'This analysis provides important data for employers considering or implementing workplace marijuana policies and highlight those industries where marijuana use among workers might reflect a higher proportion of younger workers, such as Accommodation and Food Services and Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation. Awareness of possible employee recreational marijuana use can inform employer policies regarding drug use and workplace impairment.'
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5898224/
'Traditionally, anyone who has smoked marijuana wouldn't qualify to become a police officer. But as laws change across the country, Atlanta Police is taking a new approach and will no longer ask potential candidates if they’ve ever smoked pot.
“The use of, and attitude toward, both medical and recreational marijuana in the United States is rapidly evolving,” said Carlos Campos, director of public affairs for Atlanta Police. “Given the reality of this landscape, the Atlanta Police Department is increasingly encountering young applicants who are admitting to marijuana use, a question we have traditionally used to screen potential officers. The result is that we are eliminating candidates who are otherwise qualified to become police officers.”'
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-police-no-longer-asking-candidates-about-past-marijuana-use/85-1538c49b-e366-4fca-bb22-ec65724db5ab
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