According to an article in Facility Executive, 46 states and Washington, DC have enacted legislation allowing the consumption of marijuana or Cannabidiol with or without prescriptions. More than one-third of business owners with fewer than 500 employees are not yet prepared to manage the impact of legalized marijuana on the workplace, according to new research from Paychex, Inc.
According to the Paychex study, business owners are slightly more prepared to manage legalized medical use than recreational use:
“Marijuana
legalization for medical or recreational use introduces new complexities for
businesses to navigate when it comes to workplace drug enforcement policies,”
said Martin Mucci, Paychex president and CEO. “While marijuana remains illegal
at the federal level, the legislation in each jurisdiction varies and may
require business owners, especially those operating in multiple states, to
comply in different capacities. Developing appropriate policies for industries
with employees operating heavy machinery, for example, may present unique
challenges. To help our customers navigate these new laws, which can vary by
industry and location, we’re encouraging business owners and HR leaders to work
with their Paychex HR specialist or another trusted business advisor to develop
an appropriate drug policy that works for them.”
The study
revealed that, among industry sectors, professional services are the most
prepared (70%) for medical use and the least prepared for recreational use
(58%). Manufacturing and retail/wholesale are the most prepared industries for
recreational use (tied at 64%), while manufacturing is the least prepared for
medical use (64%).
For William
Hummer, DDS, a dental practice in San Leandro, CA, the legalization of
marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use has sporadically impacted
patients entering the door, but the office policy restricting employees from
arriving at work under the influence of marijuana remains intact.
“California
legalized marijuana a few years ago, and so far the only impact we’ve seen is
the occasional patient arriving to the office under the influence,” said Nicole
Corvello, registered dental assistant and office manager at William Hummer,
DDS. “When it comes to our employees, we follow the rule that if you can’t work
and drink alcohol, you can’t work under the influence of marijuana. It remains
our office’s position that what people choose to do on their own time is their
business.”
A breakdown
of which states have passed marijuana legislation to date, along with an
infographic that also features other regulatory issues gaining traction at the
state and local levels, is available here.
