Do I have to change my drug policy if marijuana is legal?

If marijuana is now legal in your state, what does that mean for your drug test dos and don’ts and for you as an employer? A lot of employers ask: do you have to allow your employees be high on marijuana at work if it’s legal in your state? Or if they’re not high at work but they test positive for it in their system, do you still have to hire that employee?

And, again, I always come back to performance. It’s much simpler to just base it on performance. Is the employee performing or not?If they’re operating heavy machinery or it’s a safety concern, you do not have to allow marijuana usage.

We think this year it’s going to continue to be tested in the courts and continue to be a litigious issue. So if you can just avoid marijuana entirely by focusing on performance, that’s always best.

Remember this is not official legal advice. If you have any concerns, it’s best to consult an employment lawyer. 

Related posts

8 Payroll Forms Small Businesses Need to Know

As much as you wish they would, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn’t take employment taxes and payroll forms lightly….

Read article

FTE For Small Businesses: Why It Matters and How to Calculate It

An FTE (full-time equivalent) count is a vital metric for any employer who wants to keep their business compliant and…

Read article

Comp Time: What It is, Who Qualifies, & How to Calculate It

Overtime isn’t for everyone. While some employees leap at the chance to earn extra money, others want to keep a…

Read article

Dollars and Sense: How to Report and Withhold Tax on Tips

Have you ever noticed when you vacation abroad in places like Europe, the service at restaurants isn’t quite as attentive?…

Read article

What is the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System?

Properly calculating and paying your taxes is an essential element of running payroll for your small business. Whether you outsource…

Read article

The Delicate Art of Choosing Part-Time vs. Full-Time Workers

It may seem odd to revisit the idea of full-time vs. part-time work. After all, we’ve used the terms for…

Read article
Effortlessly schedule and track your team's time with Homebase.
Try our basic plan free, forever.
Try Homebase for free