D.C. Prohibits Marijuana Testing of Prospective Employees
Posted in District of Columbia, Legal Issues, Licensing
Just a few days ago, the Washington, D.C. Council unanimously approved an emergency resolution prohibiting employers from testing prospective employees for marijuana use as part of the hiring process, unless otherwise required by law. The resolution took effect immediately upon its passage.The D.C. Council’s emergency resolution is based on the position that implementation of D.C. Ballot Initiative 71 (“Initiative 71”), which passed by a 2-to-1 majority of D.C. voters, requires legislation to ensure marijuana users are not stigmatized in the hiring process.There is some question whether the U.S. Congress will attempt to block implementation of Initiative 71. However, general sentiment appears to be that Congress will not use political capital to thwart Initiative 71.
The D.C. Council’s brevity and unified position in passing this resolution (in addition to a pending D.C. Council bill that would allow for legalized retail sales of marijuana in the District) reflect a Council resolute in acting quickly on marijuana. The underlying reason is most likely momentum. Not only does the Council want to capitalize on the electorate’s overwhelming approval of Initiative 71, but it appears that it would also like the District to embrace recent recreational marijuana advances in Alaska and Oregon.
Wonderful News Chris and Thanks for the information.
Now that Marijuana has been practically de-criminalized, maybe its time to take it of the schedule 1 drug category and re-think and apologize for our past closed mindedness.