Colorado and Washington's Legalized Marijuana, Not So Legal

In light of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, companies are navigating uncharted waters to determine their drug testing protocol for employment screenings. The popular misconception is that since smoking marijuana is legal now, anyone can do it. It is now accepted, but the cold reality is employers are increasing their testing for illegal drugs and exercising their rights as employers to require their employees be drug free.

Last year’s Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a Dish Network employee who admitted to using medicinal marijuana to control his seizures off the job. Because marijuana use is still illegal at the Federal level, it supersedes Colorado’s Lawful Off-Duty Activities Statute protecting Dish Network’s termination from the failed drug test. How does an employer decide which laws they need to follow? We are now seeing more and more companies adopting a regular drug testing policy so they may apply for insurance discounts offered to those who have regular drug testing programs. Even though medicinal marijuana use may be prescribed, it is still viewed as an impediment. HR ProFile is a trusted resource for helping companies set up and maintain a random drug testing policy.

As a leader in the employment screening field, HR ProFile encourages you to look into using their customized random drug testing program specifically developed for their clients. These are programs designed to meet the specific needs of your organization and your individual requirements. The result is HR ProFile is more efficient and effective because they have decreased the administrative costs and simplified the process for drug testing. The programs created by HR ProFile are uniform and defensible to specifically protect their clients from the risk of litigation.  What makes HR ProFile stand apart from their competition is that they can provide pre or post hire drug testing solutions. Custom designed drug free work place policies to post accident and random testing management are proven strengths HR ProFile provides.

For more information or to discuss how to develop a personalized drug testing program specific to the laws in your state visit www.hrprofile.com or call 1-800-969-4300. With HR ProFile as your partner, you can avoid traveling the uncharted drug testing waters alone.