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420 with CNW — California Bill Hopes to End Employment Discrimination Against Cannabis Users

A new bill introduced to the California Assembly seeks to bring an end to employment discrimination against cannabis consumption outside work. Assembly Member Bill Quirk (D–CA) introduced the AB 2188 bill on Feb. 15, 2022, to stop discrimination based on testing of cannabis metabolites, which can be found in a consumer’s body fluids weeks after consumption.

According to Lauren Mendelsohn, an attorney from California-based Omar Figueroa, the bill would prevent employers from firing or refusing to hire based on a person’s off-duty use or detection of cannabis metabolites found in work-mandated tests. However, the bill exempts employers who are obligated to comply with federal drug-testing mandates. According to Mendelsohn, this applies to employees who are required to carry out such screenings or who would likely lose federal benefits if they failed to comply.

Additionally, the AB 2188 bill does not allow employers to let employees be high while on duty. Mendelsohn notes that employees are not authorized to use or “be impaired by cannabis” while working their shifts.

According to a survey conducted by Cal NORML, about 33% of respondents have been turned down from work because of  positive marijuana test. Meanwhile, 60% have stopped using cannabis after drug testing by their employers. The bill has received support from the California chapter of the cannabis advocacy group National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Cal NORML). According to a statement from the group, testing of bodily fluids is the most common way that employers will use to discriminate and harass employees who consume cannabis away from work.

Prohibitive cannabis policies rely on nonscientific data, which threaten the liberties of the consumers since the positive drug tests are not an effective method of measuring cannabis-induced impairment while on the job. According to Edward Wicker, the director of San Diego NORML, the bill will bring fairness and offer legal protection that is backed by science to California workers.

Testing for cannabis metabolites is a nonscientific approach because it is not an indication that the employee is impaired from cannabis consumption because a person can have a positive test days or weeks after using cannabis. As a result, Wicker sees that the prevailing use of such tests is for “arbitrary discrimination” purposes.

Moreover, several studies have shown that off-duty use of cannabis has not been linked to an increase in work-related accidents or injuries. According to Cal NORML, jurisdictions with enabling marijuana laws have been linked to higher wages, great workforce participation, reduced absenteeism rates among employees and fewer workers’ compensation claims from workers. All eyes are now on California as other five states including New York, have passed legislation that protects employment rights of cannabis users.

When this bill is passed, California residents will be less uneasy about consuming the cannabis products made by state-legal companies such as American Cannabis Partners since the likelihood of being victimized for off-duty consumption will be reduced.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to American Cannabis Partners are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACP

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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