{"id":1907,"date":"2021-10-21T19:40:41","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T19:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/wp-home\/?p=182249"},"modified":"2021-10-21T19:40:41","modified_gmt":"2021-10-21T19:40:41","slug":"marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=1907","title":{"rendered":"Marijuana drug tests are now illegal in most workplaces in New York State"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>  <title>Marijuana drug tests are now illegal in most workplaces in New York State &#8211; Leafly<\/title>     <!-- This is Index Exchange, a script\/\/3rd-party integration that interjects GAM. It needs to be 'ahead' of GTM in the DOM, which comes from Cephalopod. GTM loads GAM. 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You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"hidden age-gate__loading\">Redirecting you to<span class=\"redirect-domain\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-xs mt-auto\">By accessing this site, you accept<br \/>\nthe <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"tou-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/info\/terms-of-use\">Terms of Use<\/a><br \/>\nand <a class=\"py-xl\" data-testid=\"pp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/info\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container my-xl\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col md:col-9\" id=\"article-content\">\n<h4>Millions of New Yorkers no longer have to worry about popping hot on a weed test. <\/h4>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Most New York workers are now free to hit the weed after a long day\u2019s work. In response to the state\u2019s legalization of marijuana, the New York State Department of Labor amended Labor Law 201-D and published an \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/dol.ny.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2021\/10\/p420-cannabisfaq-10-08-21.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adult Use Cannabis and the Workplace<\/a>\u201d advisory earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>The amended law states that all public and private employees (age 21 and older) can lawfully use cannabis without fear of workplace discrimination. The new rules apply to all workers regardless of citizenship or immigration status. There are some exceptions for specific jobs like commercial truck drivers.<\/p>\n<p>This week\u2019s action noted that \u201ccannabis used in accordance with New York State law is a legal consumable product.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs such,\u201d the advisory stated, \u201cemployers are prohibited from discriminating<br \/>against employees based on the employee\u2019s use of cannabis outside of the workplace, outside of work hours, and without use of the employer\u2019s equipment or property.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the strongest legal protection offered to cannabis consumers in any state. It\u2019s now <em>illegal<\/em> to discriminate against legal cannabis consumers in New York. <\/p>\n<p>Section 201-D was amended to fit the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which legalized the possession and use of cannabis for adults statewide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/news\/politics\/new-york-becomes-17th-state-to-legalize-marijuana-weed-is-legal-in-ny-starting-today\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on March 31, 2021<\/a>. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"669\" alt=\"holding joint on beach\" class=\"wp-image-180781 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-1.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Want to smoke a joint after work? Go ahead. It\u2019s now against the law for most employers in New York State to test or penalize you for doing so. (AdobeStock) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-when-can-a-new-york-employer-drug-test-for-cannabis\">When can a New York employer drug test for cannabis?<\/h2>\n<p>According to subsection 4-a of <a href=\"https:\/\/dol.ny.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2021\/10\/p420-cannabisfaq-10-08-21.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Section 201-D<\/a>, an employer is still required<em> <\/em>to prohibit conduct and take action on the grounds of state or federal mandates about cannabis. Jobs can also prohibit worker use in accordance with any existing ordinance, regulation, or statute.<\/p>\n<p>That means New Yorkers who are required to take cannabis tests by federal law, like commercial vehicle drivers, are still prohibited. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/new-york\/ny-marijuana-legalization-transit-cops-fdny-nypd-20210401-5wn7kbgfqraylcib2gtu76f6hm-story.html?outputType=amp\">Government employees<\/a> including transit workers, firefighters and NYPD officers will also be left out of the fun. <\/p>\n<p>When prohibition ended in March, the NYPD warned cops not to light up in an <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/04\/03\/nypd-tells-cops-weed-is-strictly-prohibited-despite-legalization\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">official memo<\/a>. The notice read, \u201cAll existing patrol guide procedures regarding [marijuana] prohibition as well as drug screening procedures remain in effect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>An NYPD spokesperson confirmed with <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/10\/19\/new-york-employers-cant-test-workers-for-weed-albany-says\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The New York Post<\/a> this week that despite the issuing of 201-D, officers are still not allowed to use cannabis in their off time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" alt=\"police-marijuana-arrest\" class=\"wp-image-136022 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-2.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>Police have used cannabis prohibition as pretext to hassle and arrest Black and Brown communities for decades. Despite the end of prohibition in New York, NYPD officers still aren\u2019t allowed to use cannabis in their free time. (AdobeStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>When can employers take employment action?<\/h2>\n<p>An employer can take action or prohibit cannabis-related conduct in a few instances. <\/p>\n<p>For example, if the employer stands to lose a federal contract or funding because of employee use, it has the right to act. <\/p>\n<p>An employer can also take action during work hours if an employee is exhibiting articulable symptoms of cannabis impairment on the job.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"658\" alt=\"image-of-woman-vaping\" class=\"wp-image-174641 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-3.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>In New York, the smell of weed is no longer enough to warrant employee drug tests. (AdobeStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What are articulable symptoms of cannabis impairment?<\/h2>\n<p>At the present time, there is no specific list defining cannabis impairment symptoms. There is also <a href=\"https:\/\/nij.ojp.gov\/topics\/articles\/field-sobriety-tests-and-thc-levels-unreliable-indicators-marijuana-intoxication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">no reliable test<\/a> that can demonstrate impairment due to cannabis use. <\/p>\n<p>Law 201-D defines symptoms as \u201cnoticeable\u201d if an employee is impeding state or federal workplace safety laws. That includes being careless or perilous while working, or showing diminishing performance of assigned tasks. <\/p>\n<p>All things considered, a noticeable odor of cannabis is not a valid symptom, according to the DOL.<\/p>\n<p>Again, employees aren\u2019t allowed to use during work hours in the first place. But the new law will give employers the right to prohibit use during on-call or remote work.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt class=\"wp-image-177295 has-ll lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=550 550w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=740 740w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=1100 1100w, https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state-4.jpg,compress&amp;w=1480 1480w\"><figcaption>The new law gives employers the right to prohibit cannabis use during periods when a worker is considered \u201con call.\u201d (AdobeStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What about during coffee breaks, lunch breaks, or approved leave?<\/h2>\n<p>An employer may prohibit the use of cannabis during breaks, even if the employee is not at the workplace during the break. That\u2019s because breaks are still regarded as work hours. <\/p>\n<p>Employers can also prohibit the possession of cannabis at work. But as long as an employee remains in compliance with all other requirements of <a href=\"https:\/\/dol.ny.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2021\/10\/p420-cannabisfaq-10-08-21.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">201-D<\/a>, they can freely use cannabis while they are on leave or off the clock.<\/p>\n<div id=\"author-box\" class=\"p-lg my-xxl bg-white rounded border border-light-grey elevation-low\">\n<div class=\"mb-lg\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state.jpg\" alt=\"Christopher Minaya's Bio Image\" class=\"lazyload inline-block mr-md rounded-full border border-light-grey\"> <\/p>\n<p>Christopher Minaya<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"text-sm\">Christopher Minaya has written for XXL, Hot 97, In Flex We Trust, and more. He reports on East Coast cannabis trends in an effort to humanize the flower.<\/p>\n<p> <a class=\"text-sm font-bold underline text-green\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/news\/author\/christopher-minaya\">View Christopher Minaya&#8217;s articles<\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"leafly-sailthru-signup p-lg my-xl bg-white rounded elevation-low border border-light-grey\">\n<p class=\"text-xs pt-lg\">By submitting this form, you will be subscribed to news and promotional emails from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\">Leafly<\/a> and you agree to Leafly&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/tos\">Terms of Service<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leafly.com\/company\/privacy-policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email messages anytime.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- Chartbeat --> <!-- End Chartbeat -->  <!--\nPerformance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https:\/\/www.boldgrid.com\/w3-total-cache\/ Served from: _ @ 2021-10-21 14:29:57 by W3 Total Cache\n--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marijuana drug tests are now illegal in most workplaces in New York State &#8211; Leafly Leafly Leafly \u00ae Loading\u2026 Where are you from? noyes Remember me for 30 days. I confirm that this is not a shared device. Darn! You&#8217;re not old enough to use Leafly. Redirecting you to By accessing this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Millions of New Yorkers no longer have to worry about popping hot on a weed test. Most New York workers are now free to hit the weed after a long day\u2019s work. In response to the state\u2019s legalization&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1908,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marijuana_information"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/marijuana-drug-tests-are-now-illegal-in-most-workplaces-in-new-york-state.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1907"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1907\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1908"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}