Bimonthly News Update

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.

• Legalized Recreational Marijuana Use: How Does It Affect Employers?

New Jersey, New York and New Mexico recently legalized recreational marijuana use for adults, adding to the many states (Washington, California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts, to name a few) that have already done so.

• Marijuana Workforce Drug Test Positivity Continues Double-Digit Increases to Keep Overall Drug Positivity Rates at Historically High Levels, Finds Latest Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index™ Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic did not dampen workforce drug testing positivity for marijuana, which continued to increase last year in the general U.S. workforce, according to a new analysis released today by Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services.

• Appellate court rules Pepsi Bottling must pay employee’s medical cannabis costs

Pepsi Bottling Co. must reimburse a onetime employee for his work injury-related medical cannabis costs, a panel of New Jersey Appellate Division judges found May 11th

• City Officials Investigating After Man Turned Down for Job Over Medical Marijuana Use

Denied a job because of medical marijuana use; a North Side man said it happened to him, and now the City of Chicago is investigating.

• Employee Drug Testing: Defending False Positive Allegations

Marijuana and opiate use are rising in the U.S. and so are the complications with drug-testing, says Olgletree Deakins employment attorney Michael Clarkson.

• National Safety Council and NORC at the University of Chicago Announce New Mental Health Cost Calculator to Demonstrate Why Investing in Mental Health is Good for Business

Over 40% of Americans report increases in mental distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving employers with their own crisis, resulting in increased absenteeism, negative impacts on productivity and profits, and an increase in health care costs.

• How to Keep Employees Safe in 2021

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of June 2020, 13% of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use as a way of coping with stress or emotions related to COVID-19

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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.