Major changes may be coming to Rochester that could very well signal forward movement for the rest of the state. The change lies in the fact that the city will no longer test job candidates for THC. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana, and in the past city government job applicants were required to be tested for THC as a part of the applicant screening process. Quite often, this meant that candidates who were otherwise potentially qualified for the position in question were passed over for the role. The requirement has been questioned in recent years, and the Rochester City Council approved new legislation recently that will permanently alter the face of its hiring process, effective immediately.
The Rochester City Council’s approved legislation means that THC will be removed from a preexisting list of chemicals that candidate drug screenings test for. Simply because THC is being removed from the list doesn’t mean that the list is being eliminated from the hiring process entirely. Other major drugs, like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines will still be tested for. These drugs remain a major concern within the United States, and illicit drug use and distribution, in particular, is an ongoing issue. The year 2016 saw 1,572,579 arrests for drug violations occur within the United States, according to the FBI. While candidates who tested positive for THC when applying for Rochester city government jobs were not necessarily at risk of being arrested, they nonetheless suffered the consequence, quite often, of being denied the job that they sought. One such person was Jasmin Reggler, an aide to city councilwoman Mary Lupien who was denied a city government position following a positive THC test. Reggler led the call to action after this failed test, aiming to change the Rochester drug testing policy in a manner that would emulate New York City’s.
New York City’s council voted to ban all pre-employment THC testing last year, and generally speaking, these types of rule changes tend to occur sequentially. Therefore, many Rochester residents and New York state residents, in general, may be speculating about whether or not the changes occurring in New York City and Rochester are indicative of statewide changes. As with many states, New York state has been the subject of a push to legalize recreational marijuana.
The Spread Of Legalized Marijuana
Generally speaking, marijuana laws are changing on a broad scale, which of course is also contributing to the rapid growth of the recreational marijuana industry. For example, if New Jersey residents choose to legalize recreational marijuana use in November, the recreational marijuana industry in the state alone could reach a value of $850-950 million by 2024. It is not surprising, therefore, that New Jersey’s potential legalization of marijuana is predicted to prompt other states to make a similar move. Not only do many citizens support the legalization of recreational marijuana in general, but many see a potential financial gain through the legalization process as well. One reason why the decision to forgo THC testing could be well-received is that there is a need for job availability in this day and age. COVID-19 has put millions of American workers out of work, which means that being denied a job due to a positive THC test is especially devastating for employees today. In the same sense, one reason why the potential recreational marijuana industry excites some New York residents is that it offers the possibility of new jobs.
Furthermore, the Northeast has been moving forward with marijuana legalization in general, almost as a unified region. New York actually led the push in some ways, as Governor Andrew Cuomo put together the inaugural meeting of Northeast governors to discuss how legalization should be achieved, and the new standards with which legalized recreational inaugural marijuana would be approached. This took place in fall 2019. One reason why it’s so important for the states to be united in their approaches is that it will make the transition to legalization smoother. Cuomo wanted to legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana in spring 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic forced him to shelve the motion. As of now, it appears more likely that adult use will be legalized in New York in 2021. Again, much of this does depend on whether or not a later wave of the pandemic again forces the New York State government to delay forward movement. This is why some have suggested that it might be easier for legalization to be passed if it is included as a part of the governor’s 2021 budget bill. New York’s budget is currently facing a multibillion dollar budgetary shortage due to the pandemic. This means that the tax revenue that would be generated by the legalization of recreational marijuana could help the government recover financially, which would further incentivize lawmakers to approve legalization efforts.
Questions Regarding Legalization
Despite the support for marijuana legalization, there remain questions from some about how legalization would be approached, as well as to what extent the legalization would stretch. In many ways, after the initial legalization of recreational marijuana, it would be up to New York lawmakers to refine the more minute details regarding state laws. Therefore, it could be possible that though marijuana would be legal, private companies would still have the right to test potential employees for THC when screening them, much like they would be able to screen for illegal drugs. For some families, being able to drug test a recovering addict is important, as it is for friends and employers as well. This can sometimes be the only way that a recovering addict can gain financial support from their families, who have been struggling as well for some time.
It remains to be seen if this decision by the Rochester City Council is a sign that marijuana will eventually be legalized on a broader level through New York state. However, changes will likely be made in the near future.
