Bimonthly News Update

We encourage you to share this bimonthly news update with your colleagues and business associates to stay informed on the issues regarding establishing and maintaining a drug-free workplace. A sign-up link can be found at the bottom of this issue for anyone interested in becoming a new member of Drugs Don’t Work in NJ and to directly receive these free updates.

The Drugs Don't Work webinar- "Online Seminar: Legal Issues for a Drug-Free Workplace" was held today. A recording of the webinar and presentation slides can be found at ddw.drugfreenj.org

*Disclaimer: Articles and links within articles below do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey

• NJ CAN 2020 Aims to Advance the Social Justice Conversation Ahead of New Jersey’s Cannabis Legalization Vote This Fall: Legalization Watch

New Jersey’s cannabis advocates have united to form NJ CAN 2020, a campaign coalition that is not only supporting the state’s adult-use legalization ballot initiative this November, but also plans to lobby for social equity policies in the state’s adult-use marketplace if the measure is ultimately approved by voters.

• N.J.'s 77K medical marijuana patients will have more choices as 2 new dispensaries prepare to open

The state Department of Health said it has issued final permits to Zen Leaf Elizabeth and Columbia Care in Vineland to begin dispensing marijuana. 

• AWH Expands in New Jersey, Agrees to Buy Greenleaf Compassion Center

Boston-based AWH will rebrand the Greenleaf's dispensary in Montclair, and expand the cultivation space located in Franklin to roughly 55,000 square feet.                            

• Changing Laws Complicate Drug Testing of Employees

Legalization, labor shortage make screening less appealing.                                           

• Should Employers Revise Drug Testing Policies to Consider Marijuana

With marijuana legalization on the horizon, should companies reconsider testing methods?   

• How to Ask Employees About Their Legal Meds Without Being Sued

In a decision issued this week, a federal judge in Greensboro, North Carolina, ruled that an employer's policy requiring employees to disclose their legal prescription medications may have violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.   

• Illicit Use of Prescription Drugs Propels Drugs Of Abuse Testing Market

Lately, non-medical application of prescription drugs has turned out be one of the grave matter of concern for public health. This is due to growing prevalence and increasing mortality as a result of same in the U.S.

• 'The Ignorance Is Still Out There': Is Construction Fighting Hard Enough Against Opioid Addiction?

No industry has been hit harder by the opioid epidemic than construction, and even after years of data and investigations exposing how rampant drug use is on the job site, experts say construction companies still aren’t doing enough to save the lives of their workers suffering from addiction.

• High Times: Owners Must Deal with Pot Use at Work

Illicit drugs are increasing in the workplace. And marijuana is leading the way. What should employers do?                                                                                                                                            

• Medical Marijuana and Some of Its Collateral Consequences

In April 2016, Gov. Tom Wolf legalized medical marijuana in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• Governor Northam Signs Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana in Virginia

Last week, Governor Ralph Northam officially signed Virginia’s biennial budget, as well as eight other bills from the General Assembly for which he had requested amendments in the General Assembly’s reconvened April 22 session.                                 

• Cannabis in a strong position despite challenges posed by coronavirus, Congressman Blumenauer says

Despite the steep headwinds facing the cannabis industry and the high priority on getting COVID-19-related legislation passed, federal cannabis reform efforts are in a better position than they’ve ever been, according to Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR. 34 Bipartisan

• Attorneys General Tell Congress to Pass Marijuana Banking as Part of Coronavirus Bill

A bipartisan coalition of 34 state and territory attorneys general are urging Congress to pass coronavirus relief legislation that includes language protecting banks that service marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators.                                                      

• Oregon Sees Record Break $89 Million in Marijuana Sales in April

For the second straight month Oregon broke sales records for legal marijuana   

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