Zero-Tolerance Policy in Medical Marijuana Cases Remains the Best Option for Employers
11/16/2010

Stoel Rives attorney James Shore discussed in HR Magazine employer options in cases where employees use marijuana for medical purposes. 14 states and the District of Columbia currently permit medical marijuana use, although under federal law any use of marijuana is illegal. The states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Shore said maintaining a zero tolerance policy "leaves no room for doubt" about what the employer expects of its employees regarding marijuana use. "Marijuana, no matter what state law says, is still illegal under federal law, so employers would be well-served to prohibit all drugs that are illegal under state and federal law."

"The Marijuana Exception" was published by HR Magazine, November 2010.