Nevada becomes the first state to ban pre-employment tests for marijuana

A positive test for marijuana screening in pre-employment drug testing will not be a problem for most Nevada residents starting next year.

Nevada became the first state to approve such a law on drug testing last week, two years after the start of recreational marijuana sales in the Silver State. However, the law will not apply to ambulance technicians, firefighters and vehicle drivers. Employers may also refuse marijuana test results to job applicants if their use may compromise the safety of others.

Effective January 1, employees will also have the right to challenge the results of an initial drug test if employers require one within the first 30 days of being hired. Employers must then consider the employee's second paid test, the law says.

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Democratic governor Steve Sisolak signed the bill on June 5 after state legislators approved it. Voters in Nevada approved the legal sale of recreational marijuana to those 21 and older in 2016.

The New York City Council passed a similar law banning employers from testing marijuana candidates in April. Maine does not allow employers, schools or landowners to discriminate against people for marijuana use, but the state does not have a drug testing law.

State laws on workplace drug testing vary, but companies generally have to inform their candidates or employees of their policies.

Nationally, approximately 2.8% of drug-based urine drug screenings were tested for marijuana in 2018, according to Quest Diagnostics, a screening service. drug. Marijuana is also the most commonly detected illegal drug, depending on the service.

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