Employees who consume cannabis off the clock now have legal protection
More new marijuana-related reforms in California continue to be directed to the governor’s office. The state could join the growing list where people will no longer have to fear losing their jobs if they smoke marijuana outside of work hours. Relieving stress after a tiring day could now be easier with this new law that seems to be having a lot of success.
It was recently announced that this bill was facing challenges against the clock as the session comes to an end tomorrow. However, Golden State lawmakers got to work and gave the measure the go-ahead yesterday. It is intended to prevent companies from punishing workers who choose to use cannabis after their shift has ended.
These tests, which are based on urine or hair samples, look for a substance that the body produces when it breaks down THC. The proposal would prevent workers from being punished for failing such drug tests.
Now that the legislation has been able to pass the necessary filters, it heads to the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until the end of September to decide whether to sign it into law. Should it receive the long-awaited signature, the bill would go into effect as of January 1, 2024.
“Nothing in this bill would allow someone to come (to work) high,” said Assemblymember Bill Quirk, a Democrat from Hayward and the author of the bill. Six other states in the country already have similar laws protecting workers, and it appears that California is making several efforts so that its labor community can enjoy that benefit as well.