Conclusion If you’re considering dropping marijuana from your drug test panel or, as a provider, you’re not actively encouraging clients to continue testing for marijuana, then you may be asking for trouble. How so? • Marijuana use is increasing as more and more states legalize pot for medicinal or recreational use.
• As use increases, the dangerous effects of people under the influence spreads and its harmful impact can be felt in all corners of society, including the workplace.
• Employers who choose not to test for marijuana, even if the drug is legal in their state(s), can still be held legally responsible for the actions of their employees who, while under the influence of marijuana, cause harm to others.
Drug testing for marijuana is legal in
all 50 states. Under most conditions, employers may take adverse employment action against an employee who tests positive for marijuana. Employers have the right, and perhaps an obligation, to drug test and to include marijuana in their drug test panel. Drug testing applicants and employees for marijuana makes good business sense.
Bill Current is the President and Founding Partner of the Current Consulting Group, LLC and the publisher of the On-Line Ultimate Guide to State Drug Testing Laws at
StateDrugTestingLaws.com, a comprehen- sive on-line source for state drug testing
laws. DATIA members can subscribe at
DATIA.org and receive special DATIA pricing.
Endnotes 1
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana/ the-harmful-effects.html
2
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/ NSDUH-FRR1-2014/NSDUH-FRR1-2014.pdf
3 4 ibid
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/ marijuana/marijuana-addictive
5
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/ marijuana/does-marijuana-use-affect-driving
6
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/ marijuana/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-your-brain-body
7
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/ NSDUH-FRR1-2014/NSDUH-FRR1-2014.pdf
8
http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2014/02/04/ study-fatal-car-crashes-involving-marijuana-have-tripled/
9
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/home/physicians/ health-trends/drug-testing
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