New Marijuana Laws And The Workplace

By: Melissa M. Whitehead

Last week, voters in seven states passed new laws relating to marijuana use, both recreational and medical, which has left many employers wondering what this means to them. Can employers still enforce “zero tolerance” drug use policies? Do they have to allow employees to use marijuana in the workplace or during work hours, if they have a medical prescription? Some, but not all, state marijuana laws include specific provisions guiding employers in their handling of these issues. Take, for example, two of the laws passed last week, in Florida and Nevada.