The Maine Department of Labor announced July 29, 2014 that it seeks the input of Maine businesses and other organizations regarding the current state law governing drug and alcohol testing in the workplace. Businesses interested in participating in the survey must contact the department to receive a survey invitation; invitations are limited to one per
New Legislation
New York Becomes 23rd State to Enact Medical Marijuana Law
By Kathryn J. Russo on
Posted in Medical Marijuana, New Legislation
The Governor of New York signed on July 7 New York’s Compassionate Care Act, which will permit limited use of medical marijuana by individuals suffering from covered medical conditions, making New York the 23rd state to legalize the use of medical marijuana.
Under the law, no more than five private organizations in the state will…
New Minnesota Medical Cannabis Law Protects Employees From Discrimination For Medical Marijuana Use
By Kathryn J. Russo on
Posted in Medical Marijuana, New Legislation
Minnesota’s new Medical Cannabis Act, signed into law on May 29, 2014, differs from many other state medical marijuana laws in that it narrows the kind of medical cannabis permitted. It also offers considerable protections to applicants and employees in the workplace.
The law does not cover marijuana that can be smoked. It defines “medical…
West Virginia Mining Employers Must Report Positive Drug and Alcohol Test Results, And Refusals to Test
By Kathryn J. Russo on
Posted in Drug and Alcohol Testing, New Legislation
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law March 28, 2014 an amendment to the West Virginia Code requiring mandatory employer reporting to the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training (“OMHST”) whenever an applicant or employee, working in a safety-sensitive mining position, tests positive on a drug or alcohol test or…
Bill To Drug Test Pharma Employees Filed In U.S. House of Representatives
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Posted in New Legislation
A bill introduced February 18, 2014 in the U.S. House of Representatives would require registered manufacturers and distributors of controlled substances identified under the Controlled Substances Act to perform criminal background checks and drug testing for employees with access to controlled substances.
The measure, “Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act of 2013” (H.R.…
New York Doctors Required to Consult Database Before Prescribing Certain Drugs
By Kathryn J. Russo on
Posted in New Legislation, Prescription Drugs
Last year New York became the first state to enact a law mandating that doctors and pharmacists track patients’ prescription medication history. The tracking system, known as I-STOP – Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing – went into full effect on August 27, 2013, and now requires doctors to consult a database of a patient’s prescription…
U.S. Department of Justice Will Not Challenge State Laws Legalizing Marijuana
By Kathryn J. Russo on
Posted in New Legislation
The U.S. Department of Justice announced August 29, 2013 that it will not challenge state laws recently enacted in Colorado and Washington State legalizing marijuana, as long as those laws do not conflict with certain federal enforcement priorities. A memorandum to all United States Attorneys across the country from Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole…
Synthetic Drugs Pose Problems In Workplace Drug Testing
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Posted in Drug and Alcohol Testing, New Legislation
To the drugs of abuse commonly plaguing employers, synthetic cannabinoids, such as K2 and Spice, and synthetic cathinodes, often label as “bath salts,” will have to be reckoned with. Although the overwhelming majority of states have outlawed K2 and Spice, as well as bath salts, according to the National Council on State Legislatures, and…
Texas Claimants For Unemployment Benefits To Face Drug Testing In Some Occupations
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Posted in New Legislation
Governor Rick Perry (R) of Texas has approved legislation that will require applicants for unemployment insurance to face state-administered drug tests as a condition of receiving benefits. S.B. 21 takes effect on September 1, 2013, but it would apply to claims filed with the Texas Workforce Commission beginning February 1, 2014. In signing the bill…
Washington State Lawmakers In Congress Urge U.S. Attorney General To Respond To States’ Legalization of Marijuana
By Kathryn J. Russo on
Posted in New Legislation
Washington State’s U.S. Senators, along with five members of the state’s delegation to the House of Representatives, all Democrats, have requested U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to announce the federal government’s position on Washington State’s and Colorado’s legalization of marijuana as soon as possible. In a letter to Mr. Holder dated June 17, 2013, the…