Medical Marijuana and the MRO Process: What HR Needs to Know
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Medical Marijuana and the MRO Process: What HR Needs to Know
State-level medical marijuana cards continue to impact some workplace drug testing outcomes. This session explains the Medical Review Officer (MRO) process when an employee tests positive for marijuana and presents a valid medical marijuana card. We will cover what the MRO verifies, what HR receives, and the employer obligations that apply before taking action. The focus is compliance, consistency, and reducing risk across a patchwork of state laws.
Key Learnings:
- How the MRO reviews medical marijuana cards. Verification, state limits, and valid medical explanations.
- What HR receives from the MRO. Final result reporting, use restrictions, and protected information.
- Employer responsibilities before action. Process expectations, accommodation considerations, and safety-sensitive roles.
- Managing state-by-state differences. Aligning policies, manager guidance, and documentation without creating inconsistency.