Bimonthly News Update

PDFNJ will be hosting a FREE webinar Tuesday, September 14, at 1pm - "Marijuana in the Workplace: How to Comply with NJ Regulations". This webinar is open to any NJ business, so we strongly encourage you to share this information with business associates. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Lillis, Drug-Free Workplace Coordinator, at bill@drugfreenj.org or 862-253-6808.

The NJ Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act was signed into law by Governor Murphy on February 22, 2021, thereby legalizing recreational use of marijuana by adults 21 and over.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey will continue to keep our members updated on this important issue. Our tool kit is currently undergoing revision to provide updated information on policies and procedures related to the law to assist you in maintaining a healthy, safe and drug-free workplace. Further revision will occur in the months ahead when the Cannabis Regulatory Commission sets forth its requirements for employers.

• New Jersey Law Limiting Employer Inquiries into Marijuana-Related Criminal Histories Takes Effect July 1, 2021

On February 22, 2021, as a companion to the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act,” Governor Murphy also signed legislation “concerning certain criminal and civil justice reforms, particularly addressing the legal consequences associated with certain marijuana and hashish offenses.”

• Stop offering ‘free’ weed with cookies, N.J. attorney general tells 4 companies

New Jersey’s top law enforcement official has accused four local companies of illegally offering free cannabis “gifts” alongside orders of cookies, chips and other products.

• Cannabis Regs Must Set Zero Tolerance in Safety Sensitive Jobs

Next month, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) will roll out rules and regulations to govern the cannabis industry in New Jersey.

• Can employees use legal marijuana while at work — remote and at the office?

The relationship between marijuana and work used to be simple: Smoking cannabis was illegal and applicants frequently got tested during employment screenings — so any sign of the stuff could either ruin your candidacy or get you fired.

• Safety, reimbursements in proposal to amend medical pot law

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania on Monday introduced legislation that would free workers compensation insurers or self-insured from being required to provide coverage or reimburse the cost of medical marijuana.

• What are the economic consequences of substance abuse?

Substance abuse is a significant public health concern in the United States.

• Combating addiction will improve workplace safety

Substance abuse and addiction continue to take a toll on workplaces across the U.S., with nearly 11 million workers across America struggling with a substance use disorder.

• The Hartford Study: Majority of Employers Recognize Employee Mental Health as a Significant Workplace Issue, Report Stigma Prevents Treatment

New research finds 70% of employers report mental health challenges among their employees, 52% also report substance misuse or addiction, while 72% say mental health stigma blocks care

• Employee Drug Testing: Addressing Environmental Exposure Claims

As access to recreational drugs increases, so will employee positive drug test results and claims that positive results arise not from intentional, but from environmental exposure.

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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.