A brief introduction to drug-focused workplace policies – and how to find the statutes that apply to your state
The legalization of recreational and medicinal marijuana, plus the “consumption explosion” of the hemp derivative cannabidiol (CBD) across the U.S., have brought new complexity to the issue of drugs in the firehouse workplace.
The issue can be particularly confusing for government agencies, as marijuana and active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, are generally illegal under federal law. For example, medicinal marijuana use is not protected as a medical treatment under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Further, state laws vary widely. In some states, marijuana-legalization laws aren’t clear as to whether the job of firefighter is considered a “safety-sensitive position,” ineligible for employee protections. As a result, several states have had to reexamine and amend their recreational and/or medicinal marijuana laws to clarify how they apply in safety-sensitive workplaces. Read More…