Flash Survey Reveals Half of Employers Don’t Test Applicants for Cannabis: 7 Biggest Employer Takeaways

by Todd Logsdon, Travis Vance, Kristin White, Fisher Phillips - JD Supra

48% of employers don’t test for cannabis in the pre-hire process, and many have made this choice to ensure they meet their talent acquisition and retention goals. In fact, 44% of organizations that do test for cannabis report they have faced challenges recruiting qualified candidates. Those are just a few of the findings from the latest FP Flash Survey conducted between September 23 and October 2, gathering information from nearly 1,000 employers across the country. The survey revealed seven key findings that provide an enlightening glimpse into the current state of cannabis testing, and could help you navigate this modern era.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/flash-survey-reveals-half-of-employers-7370891

Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce adult-use marijuana legalization bill

by MJBizDaily Staff - MJBizDaily

An adult-use marijuana legalization bill introduced on Friday is the first bipartisan cannabis reform bill to appear in the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives.

However, it is uncertain whether this latest effort can overcome the partisan gridlock that’s kept other cannabis legalization proposals from passing in the state Senate.

Sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Emily Kinkead and Republican Rep. Aaron Kaufer, House Bill 2500 follows a proposed marijuana legalization framework that the duo proposed in a June memo.

Read more: https://mjbizdaily.com/pennsylvania-lawmakers-introduce-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-bill/

North Dakota voters to weigh in again on marijuana legalization

by Jack Dura - Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota has qualified for the November election, the state’s top election official said Monday. That sets up another vote on the issue in the conservative state after voters and lawmakers rejected previous efforts in recent years.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-marijuana-legalization-ballot-initiative-election-8f5a443e1dca69cd3ded19c4e9acb3d6

UPDATE: New Hampshire Senate Passes Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Bill

by Tony Lange - Cannabis Business Times

UPDATE: On May 30, the New Hampshire House voted, 252-117, against concurring with the Senate's amended version of House Bill 1633, and then the body voted, 261-108, to nonconcur and form a conference committee for the adult-use legalization legislation in an effort to resolve differences between the two chambers. 

New Hampshire is on the verge of becoming the 25th state in the U.S. to legalize adult-use cannabis and the first to do so in 2024.

This potential halfway benchmark for the 50-state nation comes as the New Hampshire Senate voted, 14-10, on May 23 to approve an amended version of House Bill 1633.

Read more: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/new-hampshire-senate-passed-recreational-marijuana-bill-franchise/

Hawaii Joint House Panels Advance Senate-Passed Marijuana Legalization Bill With Amendments Addressing Advocates’ Concerns

by Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment

Lawmakers at a joint legislative hearing in Hawaii’s House of Representatives have advanced a Senate-passed bill that would legalize and regulate adult-use marijuana.

The proposal, SB 3335, would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates and would establish a framework for licensed, regulated sales.

Read more: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/hawaii-joint-house-panels-advance-senate-passed-marijuana-legalization-bill-despite-concerns-from-advocates/

Germany's parliament votes to liberalize rules on marijuana possession and allow 'cannabis clubs'

by Geir Moulson - CTV News

BERLIN - German lawmakers on Friday approved a government plan to liberalize rules on cannabis, paving the way for the country to decriminalize limited amounts of marijuana and allow members of “cannabis clubs” to buy it for recreational purposes.

Parliament's lower house, or Bundestag, backed the legislation, a prominent reform project of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's socially liberal governing coalition, by 407 votes to 226. There were four abstentions.

Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/germany-s-parliament-votes-to-liberalize-rules-on-marijuana-possession-and-allow-cannabis-clubs-1.6780634

Washington Senate Passes Bill Banning Hiring Discrimination for Pot Use

by A.J. Herrington

The Washington state Senate has passed a bill that prevents employers from denying employment based on a positive drug test for weed.

The Washington Senate this week approved a bill that would protect cannabis users from pre-employment job discrimination. The measure, Senate Bill 5123, was passed by the state Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 28-21 and will now be considered by the Washington House of Representatives. 

Read more: https://hightimes.com/news/washington-senate-passes-bill-banning-hiring-discrimination-for-pot-use/

New California Law Prevents Employers From Taking Action Against Employees Based Solely on Cannabis Use Away From Work

by Payne & Fears, Connor Kridle, Erika Rasch - JD Supra

Drug screenings form a routine part of many hiring processes, but a new law may require employers to review this practice. The law, AB 2188, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 18, 2022, amends the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to prohibit employers from discriminating against workers in hiring, termination, or any term and condition of employment, solely because the worker consumes medical or recreational cannabis outside of the workplace.

Read more: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-california-law-prevents-employers-2306719/

Sands Shift for Background Screening for Manufacturers

by Kristina H. Vaquera, Shaun M. Bennett - The National Law Review

Manufacturing employees have a hand in everything that our country produces. Naturally, manufacturers want to know their employees are reliable and trustworthy. Manufacturers are taking steps, including background checks, to ensure a single hire does not inadvertently cause liability.

Read more: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/sands-shift-background-screening-manufacturers

Legalization of marijuana expected to have little impact on workplace

by Casey Fabris - The Roanoke Times

As July 1 nears, employers in Virginia are evaluating what the commonwealth’s legalization of marijuana for recreational use means for the workplace.

Experts say the change in the law doesn’t require major adjustments from employers, but it might prompt some to change common policies and practices, such as drug testing.

Read more: https://roanoke.com/business/local/legalization-of-marijuana-expected-to-have-little-impact-on-workplace/article_389ad3b2-d534-11eb-a3f5-5f4bf7fc52ff.html