Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb announced that, as marijuana legalization took effect in Ohio on Wednesday the city had “modernized” their drug testing policies. This included eliminating “antiquated terminology around pre-employment cannabis testing that previously hindered hiring attempts.”
In a press statement, Bibb stated that “the criminalization of marijuana and its punitive effect on education, housing and employment has lasted for far too long. But it will soon be a distant memory, thanks to Ohioans, who last month voted in favor of Issue 2.” “We’re proud to be leading the way with these updates. They build on our previous marijuana reform efforts, and other initiatives that aim to improve our HR policies.
Under Cleveland’s updated pre-employment testing policy, the city will only conduct cannabis screenings for “selected positions that are identified as safety/security-sensitive, as well as positions that fall under the federal government’s Department of Transportation (DOT).”
The mayor’s office stated that testing would still be required for jobs such as police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, port workers, and other positions that require a commercial drivers license, or involve the operation of heavy machinery or mechanical tools.
Matt Cole, the director of the city’s human resources department, stated in a press release that accompanied the announcement, “Pre-employment screening is often a barrier to filling vacant positions, as it prevents otherwise qualified candidates from applying.” These policy updates will help us increase the number of applicants for several City jobs.
The mayor’s Office cited other jurisdictions who have adopted similar policies regarding drug screening of prospective workers following the legalization of marijuana. These include Baltimore, Washington State, Nevada and Montana. The office cited a study from 2020 that indicated “workplace performance does not relate to after-work cannabis use.”
Other states such as California or New York provide greater protections to adults who use cannabis legally during non-working hours.
Cleveland.com has reported that the city is seeking to fill over 800 vacant jobs, including 300 police positions.
The city announced that the testing policy for current Cleveland employees “is largely unchanged”. Workers must be “free of the effects of alcohol or drugs, including marijuana, when on duty.” Disciplinary actions can range from an offer of therapy to termination.
Mark Griffin, the city’s legal director, said that maintaining a drug-free work environment is important, but also because the state is still working on finalizing regulations, taxation and licensing processes. Mark Griffin, the city’s law director, said that the city will keep a close eye on the legislative and court systems and adapt policies and procedures as needed as the situation in Columbus evolves.
Although certain cannabis-related activities became legal on Thursday, including personal possession, home cultivation and use of marijuana, lawmakers in the Senate and House continue to consider sweeping changes the law passed by voters last month, Issue 2.
The GOP-controlled Senate, which had originally planned to repeal the new law in its entirety, abruptly changed course on Wednesday. instead approved a revised law that would in some ways expand the -approved law . The bill would allow for legal sales to start sooner. Existing medical marijuana dispensaries could serve adult customers as soon as three months following enactment.
In Issue 2, medical dispensaries would not be able sell to adults for at least nine months following the enactment. However, dispensaries would have an advantage over adult-use businesses that would be required to apply for licenses and receive them.
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Now the bill is headed to the House. The House is examining another marijuana legalization proposal that was filed by Rep. Jamie Callender. In a Wednesday hearing, the House Finance Committee discussed that legislation. It would preserve home-grow and other key elements of the voter’s initiative while making changes that were opposed by advocates.
Rep. Gary Click filed separate legislation last week which would permit individual municipalities to ban the use of cannabis and home cultivation within their jurisdictions. It would also revise distribution of state marijuana tax revenues by, for instance, reducing funding allocated to social equality and jobs programs, and instead directing them to law enforcement training.
Rep. Cindy Abrams, (R), also introduced a Bill last month to revise marijuana law. 40 million dollars in cannabis tax money would be used annually for law enforcement training.
In Cleveland, Bibb announced on Wednesday his own efforts in cannabis reform. This included filing motions to expel more than 4,000 previous marijuana conviction records. His office stated that “Ohio Senate Bill 288 became law in April and was signed by the Governor.” This allowed the City to proceed more quickly and efficiently with the process.
Photo by Mike Latimer.
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