Week Four Discussion Questions

Consider this: Multiple states in our union have “legalized marijuana for recreational use” including Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and even Michigan. Furthermore, there are 19 other states that have some form of legalization or decriminalization laws currently on their books. With that said, many organizations test for “illegal substances” either prior to or during employment. There are those that even test for tobacco use, considering tobacco to be harmful. If evidence of drug use is found in an employee’s system, an employee might be fired regardless of the state laws or prior legal precedent. If the company declares tobacco to be off limits to its employees, the employee may be fired if found to be violating the company policy on tobacco use.

1) Is it fair to penalize the employee who is a “recreational user” who, while visiting one of the four states listed above, used marijuana? Why? Be specific.

2) Tobacco is legal in all states yet there are organizations that will terminate employment if tobacco is found in an employee drug screen. How can a company possibly terminate an employee for using a substance that is completely legal?

Here are a couple web sites to get you started.

http://www.governing.com/gov-data/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html (Links to an external site.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/us/11smoking.html?_r=0 (Links to an external site.)

https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/state-and-local-updates/pages/can-employers-still-test-for-marijuana.aspx (Links to an external site.)

**For this assignment, I am expecting you to provide and share your own thoughts and ideas. Appropriately site your sources for this assignment. Do not plagiarize your responses from the textbook, websites, or articles for this assignment.