Marijuana and the workplace to be addressed at Carson City forum this Friday
A presentation Friday organized by Partnership Carson City and the district attorney’s office will help employers and the public understand new laws governing drug use and what effect they will have on the workplace.
“Based on what we are seeing in Colorado and Oregon, it is important for Nevada businesses to understand their rights as an employer to have an efficient and safe workforce and the privacy rights of their employees concerning their marijuana use,” said Kathy Bartosz, executive director of Partnership Carson City. “Equally important is a clear understanding of what the new marijuana is, including how long it stays in the user’s system, levels of impairment, and how it is being ingested including marijuana-infused drinks, vaporized, oils, lotions and edibles. Clearly, this isn’t your daddy’s little joint anymore. Not even close.”
Part of the Carson City Chamber’s Soup’s On! Luncheon Series, Marijuana in the Workplace is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Gold Dust West, 2171 East William St. Tickets cost $10 per person and include lunch. RSVP by Wednesday.
The luncheon will pay particular attention to employers’ rights amid potential changes in state law and larger trends nationwide. The featured speaker is Jo McGuire, director of compliance and corporate training at Conspire, an employment screening services company based in Colorado Springs.
McGuire was appointed to serve on the Colorado Governor’s Task Force on marijuana regulation in 2012. She presently serves on the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association Board of Directors, chairing the International Marijuana Education and Outreach Committee, and represented DATIA at the first annual Safe and Drug Free Workplace Congress of Latin America in 2015 and the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem in 2016.
“In light of the increased potency of THC, the unknown world of edibles, studies revealing changes in brain structure, longer durations of impairment, and associated costs, it seems much too early to be making drastic changes to how drug policies are enforced and drug testing is performed in the workplace,” said McGuire. “More work must be done to study the rapidly evolving world of marijuana legalization and exactly what it means to workplace safety.”
To RSVP for this event, go here or call 882-1565.
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