Michigan Removes Pre-Employment Marijuana Testing For Most Government Employees – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

The era of pre-employment marijuana screenings for most would-be state workers in Michigan officially came to a close on Sunday as a code change approved in July took effect.

The change is the result of an amendment unanimously approved in July by the Michigan Civil Service Commission, which also gives people who’ve already been penalized over positive THC tests an opportunity to have the sanction retroactively rescinded. Commission Chair Jase Bolger said at the time that the intention is to treat cannabis more like alcohol.

A person who either “overindulges in alcohol” or uses marijuana on a Friday night is “likely not under the influence of either” when they come back to work on Monday, he said, “so we’re going to treat them the same.”

The reform was first proposed in May, with commissioners opening up a public comment period to solicit feedback. It amended language that said state agencies must drug test applicants for cannabis and other Schedule I and II substances by adding an exception saying that “appointing authority shall not require testing for marijuana for a pre‐employment drug test of a new hire to a position that is not test‐designated.”

Some jobs will still require applicants to be tested, including those requiring a commercial driver’s license or operating heavy equipment or machinery, law enforcement and corrections officers, healthcare providers, people working with controlled substances and positions involving hazardous or…