This blog post details some reasons why following science means saying no to marijuana being moved from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. Our goal at R&A, Inc. is to provide employers with all the facts they need to enforce a strong drug test program on a pre-employment and random and reasonable suspicion basis. We focus on the drastically harmful effects on business owners if an employee is operating in a safety sensitive position and injures someone. We list the definition of a safety sensitive positions in this blog post.
Article on following science
This article in the Pittsburg Post Gazette by Stephen F. Gambescia had interesting observations and an opinion on the subject that we summarize in this blog post. He mentions that the White House’s move to pressure the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to reclassify marijuana from a highly controlled Schedule I drug (like heroin and LSD) to a lesser controlled and regulated Schedule III drug flies in the face of our federal leaders’ mantra to “follow the science.”
Mr. Gambescia rightly points out that evidence of benefits remains elusive. Also, he highlights the fact that no major survey has dared to ask the public what they know about the harmful effects of using marijuana, which are real and significant.
The DOJ and DEA’s recent “Drug Fact Sheet on Marijuana/Cannabis” states a litany of reactions to its use such as a sickening malaise, psychomotor impairments, sensory impairments, and psychosis.
Mr. Gambescia states that the public is not getting relevant, robust, and timely information about the known or suspected health hazards or even what benefits may materialize.
Mr. Gambescia also mentions the fact that workplaces will need to add a tome of policies and procedures and more drug testing to ensure that employees are not toking on the job.
Furthermore, he writes, “the oversight and control of the drug’s use will drain resources for state departments of health. Looking down the road, normalizing marijuana looks to be yet another public health problem. When the history of liberalizing pot is written, healthcare and public health officials cannot blame the greedy corporations for the ill health that inevitably follows. The blame goes to legislators and candidates vying to see who can be the most liberal and the ring of the tax cash register for government coffers.”
“Advocates to free marijuana are giddy about beating the Puritanesque moniker for pot. Add to this the Biden administration’s push to gain votes and we could have yet another long-term drug crisis unless federal officials practice what they preach and follow the science.”
What one county in New Jersey is doing to assure safety
Thankfully there is one state, New Jersey, which has legalized marijuana but is taking action to assure its drivers of public works vehicles are not allowed to use it.
A random drug testing program by the Middlesex County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (MCMJIF) is making sure the drivers aren’t under the influence while they’re plowing roads on frigid, snowy nights. MCMJIF members and other communities in Monmouth and Union counties – have taken a zero-tolerance approach to drug and alcohol use.
“Our job is to minimize risk as much as possible as a joint insurance fund,” MCMJIF Chairman Harry Delgado said. “Not only does it ensure a healthy, productive workforce, it greatly minimizes insurance costs for taxpayers in the municipalities we serve. That is why we are focused on commercial driver safety, as accidents can be a leading cause of insurance expense.”
Proof drugs used by drivers can maim and kill
In this blog post we provide proof that marijuana users are involved in more accidents.
This article states that a larger percentage of fatally injured drivers aged 20-34 tested positive for drugs than those aged 16-19 and 65 and older. And, drug-related fatal collisions were more common during nighttime hours and in vehicles with single occupants.
In an article headlined “Driver held in death of 1- year old “ reports a 1-year-old child playing outside their home in Lynnwood was fatally struck by a man suspected of driving under the influence of drugs Thursday evening, court records show.
We recommend employers meet with competent legal counsel to draft AND enforce a strong drug and alcohol test policy that will help prevent injury to the public, loss of reputation and even loss of the business.
James P. Randisi, President of Randisi & Associates, Inc., has been helping employers protect their clients, workforce and reputation through implementation of employment screening and drug testing programs since 1999. This post does not constitute legal advice. Randisi & Associates, Inc. is not a law firm. Always contact competent employment legal counsel. To learn more about the rights of employees who test positive for marijuana, Mr. Randisi can be contacted by phone at 410.494.0232 or Email: info@randisiandassociates.com or the website at randisiandassociates.com
