Recreational Marijuana


Ask HR: Applicant failed drug test. Can I still hire them?

Dear HR: We just offered a position to a fantastic applicant with great experience and references. The problem is—they failed the pre-employment drug test and admitted that they had some “recreational marijuana” brownies last week. The applicant claims that they didn’t think it would be an issue since pot is legal in Oregon now. Can I still hire them?   HR Answer: The answer is maybe. Marijuana still remains illegal under federal law, so employers […]


Legislative Update: Employees and the use of Recreational Marijuana

Currently, the use of marijuana in Oregon can still cause employees to lose their jobs.  Even though recreational marijuana is legal in the District of Columbia and seven states besides Oregon—and medical marijuana is now approved in 28 states—there are currently no Oregon employment-related legal protections for using marijuana recreationally.   Oregon State laws pertaining to employment Oregon state law protects citizens from state and local criminal prosecution for using, growing, and possessing marijuana. It […]


Seeing through the Smoke

Clarity on the Marijuana Update With recreational marijuana use becoming legal in Oregon as of July 1, 2015 the question of how this will affect employers is on the minds of many. And our answer for employers is, not much. Nothing needs to change regarding your DRUG TESTING and hiring policies – unless you choose to ease up your testing standards. The Colorado Supreme Court has made up their mind regarding the question of “can […]