Washington DC is the fifth jurisdiction behind Nevada, New Jersey, Montana, and Rhode Island to … [+]
A new law offers marijuana users broad employment protections in Washington, DC. The Marijuana Employment Protections Amendment Act of 2022 prohibits employers from adversely affecting the employment of any person who uses marijuana, even if they test positive for the drug. The law will become effective on or after July 13, 2023.
DC’s law will prohibit employers from refusing to hire a job candidate or terminating, suspending, failing to promote, or demoting an employee, or otherwise penalizing an individual based on their use of marijuana, status as a medical marijuana patient, or testing positive for marijuana absent impairment.
While the law will impact most employers in the District, it identifies several exceptions that permit employers to deny employment to candidates or employees. Exceptions include, within safety-sensitive occupations as defined in the law, if an employer is required by federal statute, regulations, contract, or funding agreement to prohibit marijuana use or if the worker used or possessed marijuana while at the worksite or on duty. Employees of the federal government and the District’s courts are also excluded from the scope of the law. However, it does offer protections for…
