NORML: Failing a Urine Test for Cannabis Not Grounds for Dismissal in California

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) reports that the California Personnel Board has ruled that failing a urine test for cannabis is not proof of the job impairment or grounds for employee dismissal.

“The California State Personnel Board (SPB) has ruled that a urine test does not establish that an employee is under the influence of marijuana when reporting for duty, and therefore does not justify discipline,” says NORML.

The ruling affects California state employees, protecting them against employment discrimination resulting from state drug-testing for inactive metabolites of THC.
Government workers at the city or county levels or private businesses’ employees will not be protected by the new ruling.

NORML says that under federal drug-testing mandates, such as truck drivers, workers will also not be protected by the recent decision. Those deemed impaired while at work will face the same repercussions as before.

California NORML has sponsored a bill to protect regular citizens employed in the state from drug-testing that does not prove impairment, AB 1256, which has been introduced in the legislature, and Californians are encouraged to support the legislation by contacting their representatives.