Sessions

We’re all talking about marijuana these days. More than half of the states in our country now allow for medical marijuana cards, legal recreational use or both—and the trend is increasing. On the flip side, the use and possession of marijuana remains a violation of federal law. Where does all of this leave employers who are trying to establish and enforce drug-free workplaces? And marijuana is not our only issue: The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) estimates that 70% of Americans who use illegal drugs are employed. That’s a scary statistic for HR departments.

Join us for a timely and informative session that will review the current marijuana laws across the U.S., discuss the legal and practical implications of marijuana-related policies and testing programs, and explore the challenges of opioids that show up in the workplace.

This session will provide lots of information but is intended to be thought-provoking and interactive, as we brainstorm together from a practical HR perspective on how to navigate this challenging and evolving landscape. Topics covered will include:

• Current state laws on marijuana in the workplace.
• The conflict between federal and state marijuana laws.
• States that have tried to affirm supremacy of state over federal law in this area.
• How to write and enforce drug-free workplace programs.
• The challenges of developing an effective drug-testing program.
• The potential ADA and other disability law implications related to marijuana policies and practices.
• A discussion of several of the more interesting court cases on this topic.
• Suggestions for HR professionals on how best to advise executive management.