THE WORKPLACE GOES TO POT Marijuana legalization is on the rise. For small business owners, a clear drug policy should be a high priority.
23
states + the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana
legalized medical marijuana as of Dec. 2015 legalized recreational use decriminalized possession
THE MAJORITY OF CANNABIS USERS ARE EMPLOYED.
68%
74%
of male cannabis users
of female cannabis users
About 1 in 5 small business owners would allow employees with doctor’s prescriptions for medical marijuana to use it in the workplace.
Yes: 19%
No: 62%
Unsure: 17%
POSITIVE DRUG TEST RESULTS HAVE INCREASED. But 4 in 5 small business owners aren’t worried about legalization causing more on-the-job marijuana intoxication.
MANY SMALL BUSINESSES DON’T HAVE A STRINGENT DRUG POLICY.
42%
don’t have anything official
74%
don’t require employee drug tests
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS? Workplace policies sometimes trump state laws. Zero-tolerance drug rules—even off the job—are still allowed and may be necessary to maintain federal contracts. Employers should set (and enforce) crystal-clear medical marijuana rules. Small business owners should update their drug testing procedures. NFIB-recommended options: • Pre-employment drug testing • Reasonable suspicion or post-accident testing • Random drug testing
“Small business owners rely on drug policies and use them as a crucial tool to protect themselves, their employees and customers." –Karen Harned, executive director, NFIB Small Business Legal Center
Source: Employers, National Center for Biotechnology Information, NORML, ProCon.org, Quest Diagnostics