Marijuana For Everyone? Society's Changing Attitude Reflected In Workplace Practices

We've entered a new era of acceptance when it comes to the legally permitted use of marijuana. As of today, 28 states have legalized medical use of the drug, and eight states permit its recreational use. With over half of the states permitting some form of marijuana use, employers may be understandably confused about how this shifting stance will impact their businesses and current workplace drug testing programs. Some common questions we've fielded of late include:

• Can we maintain a zero-tolerance policy in a state that permits medical marijuana use?
• What if we are covered by federal drug-free workplace rules, federal safety or similar regulations, or run a business with numerous safety-sensitive positions?