New Washington State Law Will Protect Job Applicants From Discrimination Based on Off-Duty Marijuana Use
Employers in Washington will soon be prohibited from making hiring decisions based on preemployment testing for off-the-job cannabis use or test re...
Employers in Washington will soon be prohibited from making hiring decisions based on preemployment testing for off-the-job cannabis use or test results showing nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites in an applicant's hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. Washington's new law, Senate Bill 5123, signed by Governor Jay Inslee on May 9, 2023, takes effect on January 1, 2024. Quick Hits Effective January 1, 2024, Washington employers will be prohibited from discriminating in initial hiring decisions based on job applicants' lawful, off-the-job use of cannabis or test results indicating the presence of nonpsychoactive cannabis.