Legalizing Marijuana. in the Workplace? Colorado and Washington have legalized t

Question

Legalizing Marijuana. in the Workplace? Colorado and Washington have legalized the possession of up to onc ounce of marijuana for personal use. Although marijuana is considered an illegal drug under the federal Con trolled Substance Act, the U.S. Department of Justice announced in August 2013 that "at this time," the federal government was, "deferring its right to challenge" the laws passed by Colorado and Washington, given that both states had promised to create a "strict regula- tory system." Question What impact might these laws have on Colorado and Washington employers' drug-testing policics and practices? Explain. Sources: Niraj Chokshi, "Marijuana Sales Commence in Colorado for Recreational Use," The Washington Post, January 1, 2014 [www.washingtonpost.com/politics/marijuana-sales-commence-in-colorado-for-recrcational -use/2014/01/01/977040d0-7320-1e3-8b3f-b1666705ca3b story.html]: National Conference of State Legis- latures, "Medical Marijuana Laws." March 27, 2014 [www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana -laws.aspx); and U.S. Department ??ustice. "Justice Department Announces Update to Marijuana Policy." August 29, 2013 | www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/August/13-???-974.html].

Explanation / Answer

This law of legalizing marijuana has an adverse effect on the organizational policies and employers' hiring procedures. This legalization has increased the chances of employees coming at work with an intake of the drug. The effect of the drug will effect the productivity and liability of the employee towards his work. T|he HR policies in the workplaces condemn the use of such drugs but with the legalization by law they are in a dicy position. If they do not follow the rule of legalization it will be unlawful at their part and it will result in preventing from hiring otherwise qualified employees for the reason that they use this drug and if they follow the legalization rule then they will risk their production and other safety issues at work of other employees.

The effects of legalizing marijuana at work can be:

- effect on the current drug policy

- adverse effect on work performance and productivity levels.

- effect on the safety of the co-workers and outside parties.

- effect on the policies and procedures of hiring.

- effect on the laws to be followed from the government

- effect on the insurance policies.

Hence with the legalization of marijuana in the workplace employers will have to be going through certain challenges which can be difficult to meet. Accepting the legalization and condemning it both have their own ill effects for the employers.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse L
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.