Proposed legislation in Oregon could set new procedures for pre employment testing and random drug testing of workers.
House Bill 2881 would require that all drug test results be set to a physician, who would then review positive results with the applicant or employee in question. One version of the bill, which is still being amended, states the physician must report a positive test to the employer only if there is a reason to believe the worker's drug use poses a job safety risk.
According to an article by Oregon Live, some employers feel they currently have no way to evaluate whether or not employees are abusing certain drugs, such as marijuana, which is often used for medical purposes. However, the current state medical marijuana law often conflicts with the federal drug-free workplace laws.
"I think we need to clarify the (medical marijuana) law," Rep. Mike Schaufler said in the article. "I want employers to be able to manage their risk and employees to be treated fairly."
About 20,000 people in Oregon currently have medical marijuana cards.
"(The state's medical marijuana law has) morphed into a get out of jail free card for the indiscriminate use of marijuana," Lee Briney, president-elect of the Columbia Willamette Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers, said in the article. "I urge you, as representatives of Oregon employers, to help maintain safe workplaces by outlawing acceptance of marijuana use by employees."
Currently, more than 20,000 people in Oregon hold medical marijuana cards.
However, many advocates of the proposed bill and the state's medical marijuana law state there is no evidence the law has led to an increase of on-the-job injuries.
"All of us need our jobs right now," Madeline Martinez, executive director of the Oregon chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said in the article. "All we're asking is to be treated with dignity and respect."
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