cannabisnews.com: American Companies Not Prepared For Legalization
function share_this(num) {
 tit=encodeURIComponent('American Companies Not Prepared For Legalization');
 url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/29/thread29441.shtml');
 site = new Array(5);
 site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
 return false;
}






American Companies Not Prepared For Legalization
Posted by CN Staff on July 19, 2019 at 19:57:49 PT
By Mike Adams, Contributor
Source: Forbes
USA -- Marijuana legalization is not a new idea. For the past two decades, states have been chiseling away at pot reform in the United States, first passing voter initiatives to legalize for medicinal use and then finally, just about five years ago, pulling the trigger on the recreational front. Now, well over half the country has legalized the leaf in some form or fashion. Sure, some of these laws are as good as a three-legged horse and in desperate need of being put down. But no matter how flimsy they might be, it still proves the nation is perfectly capable of rising above the drug war mentality.
However, the business world is still struggling to come to terms with the concept of treating weed like beer. It's a complicated matter for most, one that, quite honestly, probably has the majority sweeping it under the rug. In fact, according to a new survey from Paychex, most American companies are not at all prepared to handle the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana. The issue simply holds too many unanswered questions. Do we fire workers automatically for testing positive for marijuana; do we test them at all; do we let medical marijuana cardholders slide; do we enforce a zero-tolerance policy; do we just go to lunch and figure it out later? They have no clue. Unfortunately, this means, in spite of the legalization efforts unfolding at the state level, American workers are going to find it hard to enjoy legal weed without the fear of it coming back to take a giant bite out of their rear ends. As if they needed any more paranoia in their life, am I right?The poll, which was published late last month, finds that only 42 percent of companies are "very prepared" to deal with their employees' medical marijuana use. Another 24 percent said they were "somewhat prepared," while 34 percent admitted they were "not prepared" at all. When it comes to recreational marijuana, only 39 percent of employers say they are on the ball with respect to full-blown legalization. Almost equally matched; however, 38 percent confessed to being entirely in the dark on how to manage workers and weed. It stands to reason that these companies will probably continue with what works for them – getting rid of any worker who tests positive for THC. They will surely hold on as long as they possibly can before making a change for the better.Of course, some business sectors are more pot progressive than others.The best-case scenario for the average marijuana user, or so the survey SAYS, is if they have a professional career. Seventy percent of these businesses were receptive to their personnel using medical marijuana, but only around 58 percent were okay with that use crossing the line to recreational. Presumably, these kinds of companies (law firms, advertising agencies, etc.) are not all that concerned about the potential of marijuana use in the workplace because there isn't much death and destruction that can come by turning stoned employees loose on office equipment. Ba Dum Tss!Interestingly, the manufacturing and retail sectors were next in line when it comes to readiness for pro-pot laws. Sixty-four percent in both segments say they are prepared for legal weed. And by prepared, they surely mean they have put in more vending machines and made sure there are plenty of Little Debbies. Author’s Note: No, that isn’t a stoner stereotype. Studies have shown that junk food sales are up in states where marijuana is legal. Marijuana in the workplace is a hot issue, for sure. However, business experts say, depending on the work environment, the idea of allowing workers to use marijuana on their personal time is not cut and dry."Marijuana legalization for medical or recreational use introduces new complexities for businesses to navigate when it comes to workplace drug enforcement policies," said Martin Mucci, Paychex president and CEO. "While marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, the legislation in each jurisdiction varies and may require business owners, especially those operating in multiple states, to comply in different capacities. Developing appropriate policies for industries with employees operating heavy machinery, for example, may present unique challenges."Most of the concerns over marijuana in the workplace stem from a conflict between state and federal law. Even in jurisdictions where pre-employment drug tests for marijuana have been eliminated – New York City and Nevada — the Drug-Free Workplace policies passed in the 1980s during the Reagan Administration are still causing trouble. Police officers, nurses, heavy machinery operators and employees with any company holding a federal contract must pee in a cup before they can go to work. Even in those places where a pre-employment whiz-quiz is no longer necessary, employees can still be terminated for testing positive for marijuana — even if they are not impaired at the time. Employers can learn of a worker’s pot use through random drug testing (which companies have the right to do) and if incidents occur. Hit someone or something with a fork truck and part of the protocol is to give that worker a drug test. Get injured on the job and try claiming Worker's Compensation and a drug test usually comes up. If you use marijuana and hold any other position outside of fast food and the hospitality trade, rest assured your company will find a way to nail you for weed. But there have been some improvements. Companies are starting to get serious about adjusting their marijuana policies, mostly because they are worried about infringing on worker's rights. Especially now that an Arizona court has determined that a Walmart worker was discriminated against after she was terminated for testing positive for marijuana. The court found that Walmart’s pink slip tactics were unjust because the company could not prove the employee was impaired on the job.It's a good thing drug policies are starting to change. If not, we'd be seeing a whole heck of a lot of stoners standing in the unemployment line. Why? Because workers are testing positive for marijuana in the workplace now more than ever before, according to a recent study from Quest Diagnostics. This research shows there has been a 10 percent increase in positive screens for marijuana on the job over the past year. It’s a trend that doesn’t shock Dr. Barry Sample, Quest's senior director for science and technology."Marijuana use is on the rise in society, so it's not surprising that we're starting to see that filter into the workplace," he said. Although more companies are starting to take a less restrictive stance on marijuana use, the progress is still slow. Most legal states have only experienced around a 10 percent decrease in companies testing for pot. We can only hope that more business sectors start to relax their drug policies as more states move to legalize. But it won't be until the federal government changes its stance on the cannabis plant that we start to see significant improvements on this issue.When will that happen?It probably won't be until 2021 before the nationwide legalization issue picks up speed. Right now, there is too much old Republican domination on Capitol Hill, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hasn't given any indication that he's changed his mind about weed. It really comes down to how the 2020 election shakes out. If Democrats take control of the Senate and push McConnell out of the top seat, we've got a fighting chance at finally getting something done in Congress. Never mind all of the marijuana legalization measures that have been introduced as of late, the odds of any of it getting pushed through this year are about as good as the legions of UFO enthusiasts preparing to storm the gates at Area 51 later this year have at making it out alive.Source: Forbes Magazine (US)Author: Mike Adams, ContributorPublished: July 18, 2019Copyright: 2019 Forbes Media LLCContact: readers forbes.comWebsite: http://www.forbes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/F2ZRRwlxCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help 
     
     
     
     




Comment #5 posted by afterburner on July 22, 2019 at 08:32:14 PT
FoM - Glad You Liked the Songs
Martha Stewart has joined forces with Snoop Dogg. She's got the cooking and fashion skills, and he's got the ganga. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch/szW742_zBKgOf course, it's still way out of reach for us commoners. Level the playing field. Let the leaf free. Then, we can all celebrate!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 22, 2019 at 05:55:10 PT
Afterburner
Thank you for sharing all the great songs about the Moon. It was an amazing time when we still seemed to dream of big and challenging things. I saw a show on China and it was really something to see how they are now the dreamers our country was. I don't agree with them tracking everyone but the creative and money they invest to make China great we don't do anymore and that made me sad.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 22, 2019 at 05:49:58 PT
John Tyler
It is about the money. We were watching Bong Appetit a few days ago. I watched as the cooks used different ingredients for cooking and thought how can anyone afford to use the oils and hash and whatever else they used to make a meal. Unless people can grow their own and be able to afford to make all the stuff themselves it is out of reach except for the very wealthy.  Cannabis is just a weed or an herb and when will they get it. If people could grow themselves there would be plenty available like all herbs and spices are to try cooking with it too.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by afterburner on July 22, 2019 at 01:45:22 PT
The Wonder of Moon & Love, More than $s & Cents
Apollo -God of music, arts, knowledge, healing, plague, prophecy, poetry, manly beauty, and archery. On the fiftieth anniversary of Apollo 11, the first Moonwalk, I am struck by mixed emotions. Before the Moonwalk, I grew up with art, music, poetry, drama, science fiction and romance, associating the moon with love and wonder. Moon, June, Spoon, moonlight drives and walks. Sitting on a park bench or a camp chair looking at the moon or the stars created a feeling of love and majesty. On the other hand, the moonwalk and even the Earth orbital flights were essentially seen as a scientific acheivement. The romance and mystery of space was deliberately suppressed or hidden. Occasional outbursts of amazement by some of the astronauts were quickly deemphasized and forgotten.The following songs were played on Zoomer Radio yesterday by Gene Stevens as Part 2 of his Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the first Moonwalk, reconnecting us with the drama and wonder of Love that previous generations felt about our lovely neighbor, the Moon and the wonder of our place in God's glorious Universe:Swingin On The Moon	-Nikki Yanofsky	Harvest Moon	-Neil Young	Moonshine	-John Kay	Moonlight Feels Right	-Starbuck	Dancing In The Moonlight	-King Harvest	Shadows In The Moonlight	-Anne Murray	Moonshadow	-Cat Stevens	Bad Moon Rising	-Ccr	Moondance	-Van Morrison	Allegheny Moon	-Patti Page	Moon River	-Andy Williams	Old Devil Moon	-Don Francks & Petula Clark	Everyones Gone To The Moon	-Jonathan King	Theres A Moon Out Tonight	-Capris	Under The Moon Of Love	-Curtis Lee	Moondreams	-Buddy Holly	Havana Moon	 -Chuck Berry	When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again	
-Elvis Presley	Blue Moon	-Elvis Presley	Sail Along Silvery Moon	-Billy Vaughn	Moonglow	-Sarah Vaughan	Fly Me To The Moon	-Frank Sinatra	How High The Moon	-Les Paul & Mary Remember them and the powerful emotions they represent, or experience them for the first time. I especially liked Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest, showing our happy response to the Moon's presence in our cultural lives.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by John Tyler on July 21, 2019 at 08:37:00 PT
Companies will have to change their attitudes
Another indication of the growing financial and political power of Big Cannabis. https://qz.com/1671109/curaleaf-holdings-bought-grassroots-cannabis-as-we-approach-big-weed/?utm_source=YPL&yptr=yahooIt is sad to say, but this is what will make cannabis resistant politicians rethink their positions, not truth and justice, but dollars and cents. 
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment