Cannabis Laws and Drug Testing
Amanda Green
MGT 311: Fall 2015
Introduction
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia now have some sort of law legalizing
the use of cannabis, better known as marijuana. Four of those states, as well as the District of
Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, meaning they can buy, sell, and
transport marijuana for their own personal use. So, while the laws and regulations of drug use is
changing, should the rules of drug testing change with them? Should organizations consider or
look over marijuana use or marijuana found in the system of someone that lives in one of those
four states that allow recreational use? These are highly controversial questions about this
budding problem (No pun intended). The next sections discuss why marijuana use should be
overlooked in these states.
Laws Regarding Cannabis Use
As of November, 2015, the twenty-three states that allow some sort of marijuana use
include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington state.
These laws include anywhere from recreational use like stated in the introduction, to medical
use. These possessions limits include anywhere from 1 oz. in possession (like Alaska) to up to 24
ounces (Washington state). The amount of Plants that one can have can range from 4-24 plants
and depend on if they are mature or immature. Each of these states have various laws regarding
how much you can have on your person and how you use it and each are complex in its own.
Most states that allow recreational use require the user to be at least 21 years of age. Some states
issue a medical marijuana card that proves that the person having the card can legally consume
marijuana in order to help treat the symptoms of a qualifying condition. In order to get this card,
your condition must be approved by a physician so it is much like going to the doctor to get any
other drug prescription. With this card in the medical marijuana legal states, employers should
not be allowed to fire an employee that tests positive for cannabis in their systems because it is
being used to treat a medical condition much like any other drug taken.
Effects of Marijuana Use
There are some negative effects of marijuana use. According to the national institute of
drug abuse, heavy marijuana use can result in brain abnormities that decrease brain development.
