OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

HOUSE REPUBLICANS TRY AGAIN TO UPHOLD THE RIGHT OF

EMPLOYERS TO MAINTAIN A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

HB 3052 Clarifies State Medical Marijuana Laws

SALEM— House Republicans today sought to advance a bipartisan bill to promote drug-free workplaces in Oregon. If passed into law, HB 3052 would clarify state medical marijuana laws by allowing employers to prohibit its use at Oregon work sites. Just as they did in 2007, majority Democrats voted to kill the measure for the 2009 session.

“Oregon businesses will be forced to wait yet another two years for the Legislature to address this important issue,” said House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg). “Substance abuse is the one of the leading causes of injury and death in the workplace, nationally and in Oregon. With the number of medical marijuana card holders rapidly rising, and virtually no sideboards on the program itself, businesses deserve clear guidelines as they try to maintain a safe workplace for employees and customers.”

HB 3052 enables employers and independent contractors to prohibit their employees from consuming or possessing marijuana during working hours. Further, the bill stipulates that state medical marijuana laws do not preclude or restrict an employer’s ability to establish or enforce policies to achieve or maintain a drug-free workplace.

Rep. Hanna said employers have no way to measure impairment from medical marijuana, where unlike prescription drugs, quantities and dosage are unknown and no physician oversight exists after the medical marijuana card is issued.

“The Legislature missed an opportunity to address an issue that has been endlessly litigated,” Rep. Hanna said. “Because the use of medical marijuana is becoming more widespread, this issue will continue to affect businesses and their efforts to keep consumers and employees safe.”

###