Recent State drug laws impacting the workplace including marijuana

Through all of the confusion that employers have been facing this year, drug testing while staying in compliance and avoiding risk within your organization is at the very top. Continuing the trend of changes in drug testing, here are the most recent state laws legislation changes employers should be aware of.

Recreational Marijuana in New York

On March 31, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Cannabis/Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (the “Act”), which legalizes recreational cannabis use for adults aged 21 and over. Effective immediately, New York employers will not be able to make any hiring decision based upon a positive cannabis drug test.  While the Act does not prohibit drug testing for cannabis, employers cannot reject an applicant based solely on the positive cannabis test results.

Summary

The law amends Section 201-D of the New York Labor Law to include the use of “cannabis in accordance with state law” as lawful outside work activity.

Per the law, it is unlawful for “any employer or employment agency to refuse to hire, employ or license, or to discharge from employment or otherwise discriminate against an individual in compensation, promotion or terms, conditions or privileges of employment because of:

• An individual's legal use of consumable products, including cannabis in accordance with state law, prior to the beginning or after the conclusion of the employee's work hours, and off of the employer's premises and without use of the employer's equipment or other property.
• An individual's legal recreational activities, including cannabis in accordance with state law, outside work hours, off of the employer's premises and without use of the employer's equipment or other property.”

Exceptions for employers

Employers are not in violation if they take action related to employee cannabis use if:

1. If they are required to do so by state or federal statute, regulation, ordinance, or other state or federal governmental mandate.
2. The employee is impaired by the use of cannabis, meaning the employee manifests specific articulable symptoms while working that decrease or lessen the employee's performance of the duties or tasks of the employee's job position, or such specific articulable symptoms interfere with an employer's obligation to provide a safe and healthy work place, free from recognized hazards, as required by state and federal occupational safety and health law; or
3. The employer's actions would require such employer to commit any act that would cause the employer to be in violation of federal law or would result in the loss of a federal contract or federal funding.

Recreational Marijuana in New Mexico

Individuals 21 and older can legally possess cannabis as of June 29, 2021. Employers are provided certain protections under the Act, which permits employers to maintain zero-tolerance policies. 

Recreational Marijuana in New Jersey

New Jersey voters approved recreational cannabis through New Jersey Public Question 1 in November 2020. On February 22, 2021, three bills pertaining to recreational cannabis were passed. AB 21 contains guidance for employers, including standards for drug testing and Impairment Recognition Experts. AB 21 will likely be effective later this year.

California – AB-1256 Employment discrimination: cannabis screening test

Introduced by Assemblyman Bill Quirk, AB 1256 would prohibit employers from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment because a drug test found nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites in their urine, hair, or bodily fluids. 

Employers are exempt if:

• They are required to conduct testing for nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites by federal law or regulations
• That would lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit for failing to conduct drug testing for nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites.
• Employers in the building and construction industry. 

Philadelphia Bill No. 200625

City ordinance voted 15-1 in favor of Bill No. 200625 that will prohibit pre-employment testing for marijuana. It is expected to received mayor approval and would take effect January 1,2022. 

Although the bill would apply to many employers in the Philadelphia region, it carves out certain positions from the prohibition on pre-employment marijuana testing:

1. Law enforcement.
2. Those that require a commercial driver’s license.
3. Positions requiring the supervision of children, medical patients, or other vulnerable individuals.
4. Certain jobs identified by the city that could significantly impact the health or safety of other employees or members of the public.

Atlanta – AB 1256

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an executive order prohibiting pre-employment drug testing and physical exams for non-safety-sensitive public positions.

States where voters have approved legislation legalizing the adult use and personal cultivation of cannabis.

• Alaska
• California
• Colorado
• Illinois
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Maine
• Nevada
• Oregon

States have partially decriminalized certain marijuana possession offenses.

Although the law still classifies marijuana possession offenses as criminal, the offenses do not carry any threat of jail time. The following states have partially decriminalized certain marijuana possession offenses:

• Missouri
• Minnesota
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• North Dakota
• Vermont

Conclusion

Drug testing is complicated and continues to get more complicated as legislation changes. For those in HR, this means that you must pay closer attention than ever before. Employers must protect themselves by being aware of current laws and policies around marijuana use by employees.

If you haven’t looked into your drug policy recently, it’s critical that you consider updating your policy to make sure it adheres to current laws. Let Orange Tree help you protect your organization with a strong drug testing policy.