The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance issued guidance on March 23, 2020 to provide clarity with respect to existing requirements for DOT-mandated drug and alcohol testing during the COVID-19 crisis. DOT agencies include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal
New York City Commission On Human Rights Proposes Exceptions To Prohibitions On Pre-Employment Marijuana Testing
The New York City Commission on Human Rights announced a notice of public hearing and opportunity to comment on a proposed rule providing exceptions to the prohibition on pre-employment marijuana testing that will take effect in the City on May 10, 2020. Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted in writing by April 16,
FMCSA Suspends Certain Safety Rules In Response To COVID-19 Outbreak, Excluding Drug and Alcohol Testing
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced on March 13, 2020 that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, an emergency exists that warrants an exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for certain motor carriers and their drivers. Specifically, the Emergency Declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations
New Jersey Medical Marijuana User May Proceed With Discrimination Claim
The New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed an appellate court ruling allowing a medical marijuana user to proceed with his disability discrimination claim under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”). Wild v. Carriage Funeral Holdings, Inc., No. 082836 (Mar. 10, 2020).
The plaintiff, a cancer patient and lawful user of medical marijuana, was involved in
FDA Reiterates Potential Safety Risks of Using CBD Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration repeated its warning to the public about the potential risks of using CBD products in a statement released on March 5, 2020, FDA Advances Work Related to Cannabidiol Products with Focus on Protecting Public Health, Providing Market Clarity.
The FDA has been evaluating the safety of CBD products
U.S. DOT Issues Warning Regarding Use Of CBD Products By DOT-Regulated Employees
The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance published a notice on February 18, 2020 concerning the use of hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) products by safety-sensitive employees regulated by DOT’s agencies (including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and
Employer’s Request to Count Employee’s Prescription Medication Sufficient to Support Invasion of Privacy Claim
A federal court in Alabama held that an employer’s request to count an employee’s prescription medication – in connection with a drug test that the employee passed – supported the employee’s claim for invasion of privacy. Effinger v. Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, Case no. 2:19-cv-00766-KOB (N.D. Al. Jan. 23, 2020).
The plaintiff was a
DEA’s National Drug Threat Assessment Shows Marijuana Potency and Demand Increasing; Black Market Operations Thriving
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration published its 2019 National Drug Threat Assessment on January 30, 2020. The DEA’s annual report is a comprehensive strategic assessment of the threat posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and the abuse of drugs. It compiles data from many sources, including drug
DOT Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates for 2020
The Department of Transportation’s operating agencies have announced their random drug and alcohol testing rates for 2020. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has raised its random drug testing rate to 50% for 2020. All other random testing rates remain unchanged from 2019.
| Agency | 2020 Random Drug Testing Rate | 2020 Random Alcohol Testing Rate |
Pennsylvania Court Holds Employees May Sue Under Medical Marijuana Act
A Pennsylvania state court held that the state’s Medical Marijuana Act creates a private right of action for medical marijuana users to sue their employers. Pamela Palmiter v. Commonwealth Health Systems, Inc., Civ. Action No. 19 CV 1315 (Pa. Ct. C.P. Lackawanna County, Nov. 22, 2019).
The employee, Pamela Palmiter, was employed as a medical