Fewer employers are screening new hires for cannabis, according to reporting provided by the Wall Street Journal.
In a recent survey of nearly 1,000 employers, “about half” no longer test for cannabis in the pre-hire process, the Journal reported. Respondents frequently indicated that they ceased testing to increase their prospective applicant pool.
“Policies that mandate would-be hires to undergo urine screens for past cannabis exposure are holdovers from a bygone era,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “These policies are invasive, discriminatory, and they fail to contribute to a safe work environment. Rather, they target and punish those who engage in certain lifestyle choices while away from the job.”
He added: “Studies consistently show that employees who consume cannabis during their off-hours are no different than their peers. Their workplace performance doesn’t differ from that of their coworkers, many of whom consume alcohol, and they do not pose an increased safety risk. In an environment where cannabis use is legal for either medical or adult use in most jurisdictions in this country, it is inherent that employers revisit these out-of-date, ineffective, and unduly punitive policies.”
Employers who drug test most commonly subject workers and pre-hires to urinalysis testing. Urine screens detect for the presence of inert drug metabolites rather than the psychoactive substances themselves. Carboxy THC, marijuana’s primary metabolite, is fat-soluble and can remain detectable in urine for days, weeks, or even months after a person has stopped using cannabis. By contrast, the acute effects of THC typically wear off within hours and those who consume cannabis show no differences in next-day cognitive performance as compared to controls. Consequently, several adult-use jurisdictions — including the District of Columbia, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island — have amended their laws so that many employees are no longer terminated from their jobs solely because of a positive drug test for THC metabolites.
As an alternative to bodily fluid drug detection testing in the workplace, NORML has consistently called for the expanded use of performance-based fit-for-duty testing technologies like DRUID or Predictive Safety’s AlertMeter.
Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana Legalization and Impact on the Workplace.’
Related
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in these blog posts is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The use of any information provided in these blog posts is solely at your own risk. The authors and the website do not recommend or endorse any specific products, treatments, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information in these blog posts is solely at your own discretion.
