Does an employer have to accommodate medical uses of marijuana in Oklahoma City, OK.?
Employers are advised to have a clear and concise written drug testing policy and to abide by state laws to avoid litigation. Employers may still test for and/or discipline an employee for marijuana under certain circumstances (e.g., post-accident). Oklahoma medical marijuana SQ 788 does not permit an employer to discipline or terminate a cardholding medical marijuana employee based solely on the presence of marijuana in a drug test. Regardless of a cardholder status, employers are not permitted to bring marijuana to their place of work or be under the influence during their hours of work. If an employee's job is covered by federal guidelines, then they must abide by the federal regulations in order for the company to remain in compliance with federal guidelines, regardless of state laws. Medical marijuana is not a medical exception under the U.S. DOT drug testing regulations, and federally mandated employers are expected to follow federal guidelines.
Who reports violations to the Clearinghouse?
Employers and Medical Review Officers (MROs) are both required to report drug and alcohol program violations in the Clearinghouse per § 382.705. Employers can hire a consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) in the Clearinghouse, such as DISA, to assist with meeting these reporting requirements; however, the employer retains ultimate responsibility for compliance. According to the Clearinghouse, employers are responsible for reporting the following:
• An alcohol confirmation test with a concentration of 0.04 or higher
• Refusal to test (alcohol) as specified in 49 CFR § 40.261
• Refusal to test (drug) not requiring a determination by the MRO as specified in 49 CFR § 40.191
• Actual knowledge of a drug or alcohol violation, as defined in 49 CFR § 382.107
MROs are responsible for reporting the following:
• Verified positive, adulterated, or substituted drug test result
• Refusal to test (drug) requiring a determination by the MRO as specified in 49 CFR § 40.191
What is the fine/penalty structure for non-compliance to the lanternfly permits?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, a citation matrix is in the making. The Pennsylvania SLF Quarantine Order states the following for those who are not in compliance with the required permit:
Criminal citation up to $300 per violation.
Civil penalty up to $20,000 per violation.
Revocation of permit or compliance agreement if PDA determines the holder has not complied.
For more information, you can view the Quarantine Order
What is considered actual knowledge of a Clearinghouse violation?
Employers who have actual knowledge that a driver has used alcohol or controlled substances in violation of Subpart B of Part 382 must report such violations to the Clearinghouse, in accordance with § 382.705(b)(4). Service agents, such as a consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA), acting on the employer’s behalf may also report actual knowledge violations, as long as they comply with the reporting requirements in § 382.705(b)(4). Actual knowledge, as defined in § 382.107, is based on the employer’s direct observation of the employee, information provided by the driver’s previous employer(s), a traffic citation for driving a CMV while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, or an employee’s admission of alcohol or controlled substances use, except as provided in § 382.121.