Mary Alice Reporting –
Some employers gathered for a meeting related to the next phase related to the passage of recreational marijuana in Ohio.
The Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce brought in speakers Renee West, Senator Al Landis, and Michael Bogdan.
West, the Director of HR Consulting Services at Rea and Associates, spoke about best practices for employers on staying informed on regulations as they change.
“Focused on telling employers not to panic, that looking at your existing safety policies and existing drug free workplace policies, and to continue to administer as you always have. Be transparent in your communication with your employees.”
Senator Landis echoed the idea of public safety since the bill that passed in November, he said, was written by the marijuana industry for profit and doesn’t consider the workforce or children safety.
“If you’ve got a drug policy in place it’s not going to change. Can you implement a new drug policy, yes. So, I think what we’re going to be looking at, when we craft legislation, is some of the guardrails that were put in place for medical marijuana and apply it to what we’re seeing now with recreational.”
Bogdon, an attorney at Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty, addressed the point that Issue 2 had built-in protections for employers when it comes to workplace recreational marijuana usage.
“I think some employees are under the impression that it’s going to be the Wild West and they can light a joint at their desk, but just like you can’t have a cigarette you’re not going to be able to use in the workplace, you’re not going to be able to be impaired in the workplace, so there are protections for employers in Issue 2.”
At the State House, there is legislation pending to amend Issue 2 as Bogdan noted, it was a ballot issue and not constitutional amendment, so changes are possible. Full implementation will not happen until 2024 following rules and guidance to be in place.
All speakers encouraged businesses to review existing drug policies and procedures but not take any action based upon pending action in the Ohio House and Senate.
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