Legalized Cannabis Remains a Burning Topic for Employers

With the possibility of legalized cannabis under federal law in the coming years, workplace policy changes are also in question.

The legalization of cannabis isn’t an “if” but a “when” issue for employers in most states.

While its legalization creates confusion for many employers, there are conversations they can have to prepare ahead of time. The Midwest Business Group on Health convened a session Feb. 12 with human resources and medical professionals to discuss the legalization of medical cannabis and how employers should approach changing their drug-related policies.

Michigan was the latest state to legalize recreational cannabis, joining 33 other states and the District of Columbia that have legalized cannabis for recreational or medical use. Yet, even though many states have legalized both recreational and medical cannabis, federal law has not changed. Under the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis is still considered a Schedule I substance, meaning that it is defined legally as having no accepted medical use and having a high potential for abuse.

Peter Kadens, board director of cannabis cultivation and retail company Green Thumb Industries, was a featured speaker and discussed how employers should approach the legality of cannabis in the workplace. [Read More @ Workforce]