In Washington D.C. a law passes that prohibits to companies of fire employees who use cannabis.
The law, approved unanimously by the Washington City Council, expressly prohibits private companies from firing workers who are positive to tests for marijuana use.
In Washington D.C. recreational cannabis is legal since 2014, despite this, the abyss of dismissal was assured for an employee who tested positive for a drug tests.
The Cannabis Employment Protections Amendment Act, now under consideration by the mayor of Washington Muriel Bowser, if signed it would put an end to the great contradiction that characterizes the US capital. In fact, Council members declared that no worker should be fired for using one legal substance.
Washington D.C. | How the new law works
As stated by the Washington Post, the new law provides for exceptions for those carrying out "safety-sensitive jobs", including heavy machinery operators, construction workers, police and security guards who carry weapons and healthcare professionals.
Furthermore, not being yet federally decriminalized, we find the District on the two opposite poles, which has already created protections to protect the municipal employees, and the federal government, which will be able to continue to fine its (federal) employees for cannabis use.
Employers will still be able to take measures against employees whose performance is "compromised by the use of cannabis". The same goes for those who use and/or possess marijuana in the workplace or during working hours, unless permitted.
Despite this, if the new legislation is signed, it will be up to the employers inform its employees of their rights within 60 days. Task then to be repeated for each year and for each new hire. Finally, owners who violate the law will risk a fine up to $5,000, the employee's lost wages and legal costs.
In conclusion, the members of the Council, referring to a 2013 Yale study, according to which 63% of black workers has a job that requires drug testing, compared to 46% of white workers, said the local law will especially protect people of color.
