Michigan Reshapes Drug Policy: Ends Marijuana Testing for Select Government Job Applicants – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

In a momentous decision on Wednesday, July 12, Michigan’s Civil Service Commission (CSC) voted unanimously to lift a decades-old ban that had previously prevented state employees who tested positive for marijuana use from obtaining jobs within the state government. This historical move has been a cause for celebration among civil rights advocates and marijuana legalization supporters alike.

According to data provided by the Office of the State Employer (OSE), 151 applicants for state jobs in Michigan tested positive for marijuana use in 2022 alone—a five-year high that doubled the numbers from the previous year. Since the legalization of recreational marijuana use in 2018, the state has recorded 351 pre-employment drug test failures. This year, out of the 83 failed pre-employment drug tests, a staggering 81 were due to marijuana.

This change is not a blanket removal of all drug testing procedures for potential state employees. Certain government roles, including health workers, state police officers, and employees of the Michigan Department of Corrections, will still be required to pass marijuana tests. However, starting from October 1, office staff and applicants for positions that do not involve driving, operating heavy machinery, or handling hazardous materials will no longer be disqualified due to marijuana use.

In addition to the shift in pre-employment screening, the policy revision also does away with the rule that prohibited applicants who previously failed a…