FAQ: If an employee tests positive for marijuana/marijuana metabolites on an employment-related drug test, does that mean the employee is ‘impaired?’

Q:  If an employee tests positive for marijuana/marijuana metabolites on an
employment-related drug test, does that mean the employee is ‘impaired?’

• No, a positive workplace drug test alone does not equate to impairment. While
  employment policies often prohibit employees from using drugs or being impaired at the
  worksite or during work hours, there is currently no drug workforce test (excluding
  alcohol tests measuring blood alcohol concentration) that can inform an employer as to
  whether an employee is ‘impaired’ based on the concentration (level) of
  drugs/metabolites present in a donor specimen. Some state laws explicitly address what
  can and cannot be considered for determining whether an employee is ‘impaired’ by
  marijuana, but most do not. Proper guidance and training of employees and supervisors
  to recognize objective, observable behavior and other symptoms related to drug use are
  critical for making impairment and reasonable suspicion drug testing determinations.
• Note: Only a handful of states have defined impairment due to marijuana use as it relates to
  operating a motor vehicle and those levels in blood vary. Currently, there is no consensus on
  what the standard of impairment is for marijuana.
• California, Colorado, Michigan-ended pre-employment drug screening, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, and Washington state have all signed bills for protecting workers who choose to use cannabis- see the article below. 
• 2023: 
• Colorado Governor signs bill bolstering marijuana-related protections for working professionals. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/colorado-governor-signs-bill-bolstering-marijuana-related-protections-for-working-professionals/ 
• Study: Limited Evidence that Cannabis ‘Hangovers’ Stymie Performance    https://www.ganjapreneur.com/study-limited-evidence-that-cannabis-hangovers-stymie-performance/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=61_of_americans_will_incorporate_cannabis_for_valentines_day_nypd_suing_unlicensed_cannabis_shops_and_more&utm_term=2023-02-08