NYC Moves To Ban Pot Use Testing For Job Applicants

The New York Times reports:

Most employers in New York City would no longer be able to force job applicants to take drug tests for marijuana use, under a bill overwhelmingly approved this week by the City Council.

If the drug-screening law is enacted, it would put New York in relatively uncharted territory. Several drug policy and employment experts said that they did not know of similar laws on the books, even in states that have legalized marijuana.

The Council’s bill would affect public and private employers in New York City, including companies with headquarters elsewhere, according to Jumaane D. Williams, the city’s public advocate and the bill’s sponsor. He said it was unclear exactly how many employers in the city screen employees for drugs and might be affected.

The bill awaits De Blasio’s signature. Employers would still be able to drug test people who appear to be high at work and there are exemptions for jobs with safety issues such as construction and medical care.