Industry News

Drug and Alcohol Testing

June 01, 2021

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the “Darren Wesley ‘Ato” Hall Compassion Act” (the Act) into law on Monday, May 17, 2021, legalizing medical cannabis in the state. The Act establishes the Medical Cannabis Commission and creates a health care market for medical cannabis. Vaping and smoking are prohibited while other products, such as gummies, oils, and/or creams are permitted. The Act is immediately effective following receipt of the Governor’s signature.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

May 18, 2021

2021 corporate drug testing positivity rates are skyrocketing! As employees start returning to the workplace following COVID-19, it’s more important now than ever for employers to implement drug testing policies and procedures. Similar to other national crises in the past, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in drug test positivity rates fueled by individuals turning to self-medicating to try and cope with the rise in stressful conditions (isolation, financial challenges, health issues, etc.).

Drug and Alcohol Testing

May 13, 2021

On April 28, 2021, Mayor Jim Kenney of Philadelphia, PA, signed (the Ordinance) into law, effectively prohibiting pre-employment marijuana testing within city limits. The Ordinance does include a “safety-sensitive” carve-out for applicants to specific conditions, including:

Drug and Alcohol Testing

May 03, 2021

On April 12, 2021, Governor Grisham of New Mexico signed the Cannabis Regulation Act (the Act), legalizing the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis, 16 grams of cannabis concentrates, and 800 mg of infused cannabis edibles for individuals age 21 and older.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

April 28, 2021

On March 31, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York signed into law S00854, also known as the “Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act” (the Act), legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state. The Act is largely effective immediately. Adults age 21 and older are now permitted to possess limited amounts of cannabis or concentrate, and smoking cannabis is permitted wherever smoking tobacco is allowed.

Transportation Compliance

April 26, 2021

On June 13, 2019, Canada announced an electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, similar to the one enforced in the U.S. The Canadian mandate will require ELD’s to be enforced on June 12, 2021, with existing Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD) and electronic on-board recorders (EOBR) permitted until 2022. When the U.S. ruled out their law in April of 2018, Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau felt it necessary for Canada to follow suit to enhance highway as well as trucking safety.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

March 23, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged workplace safety goals. With widespread opioid addiction concerns and amphetamine use already on the rise prior to the pandemic, employers are now seeing substantially increased drug test positivity rates. The pandemic has exacerbated conditions that lead people to self-medicate to help cope with the emotions that come along with unemployment, financial and health issues, and lockdowns. In addition, some individuals refrained from seeking treatment centers out of fear of contracting the virus or faced closed/limited hours at the facilities altogether.