Via DC’ist..
The D.C. Council on Tuesday gave unanimous final approval to a bill that largely prohibits employers from punishing, firing, or refusing to hire people who use marijuana or test positive for the drug.
The bill, which was first introduced by Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) in Feb. 2021, reflects the reality that in many jurisdictions — D.C. included — marijuana may already be legal for recreational and medical use, but employment laws and practices requiring drug testing for current or prospective employees may be lagging behind.
Last fall, New Jersey adopted similar protections for workers, and Nevada implemented its own version in 2020. New York State went one step further last year, banning all pre-employment marijuana testing. In 2019 the council passed legislation protecting many D.C. government workers who legally use medical marijuana from being fired or punished. D.C. also currently prohibits marijuana testing of any prospective employee before a conditional job offer has been made.
Still, White’s bill includes some significant exceptions. It doesn’t apply to employees who are caught using or possessing marijuana on the clock, for example. It also doesn’t apply to anyone who works for the federal government or federal contracts, since marijuana is still illegal at the federal level; or workers in safety-sensitive positions, including police and security guards, construction and utility workers, and people who care for others.
Read more at
D.C. Council Passes Bill Stopping Employers From Punishing Many Workers For Personal Marijuana Use
Also, see this MM report for a round-up of similar legislation around the country as of June 2022
D.C. Council Approves Bill Providing Workplace Protections For Marijuana Consumers
