Marijuana Laws in California: Recent Updates

New regulations to cannabis laws in California took effect on January 1, 2024. In this blog, we'll break down the key changes in California's marijuana laws and explain how Health Street's comprehensive drug testing services can help you adapt to these new regulations.

Diana Vaculova
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The Specifics of California Marijuana Laws

California has introduced significant changes to its marijuana laws with Assembly Bill 2188 (AB 2188) and Senate Bill 700 (SB 700). These California Cannabis Laws, effective January 1, 2024, focus on employment discrimination based on cannabis use, particularly off-duty use. Notably, AB 2188 prohibits employers from penalizing employees for the presence of nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites. This change marks the shift towards recognizing the non-impairment aspect of past cannabis consumption.

Understanding the Implications

It's important to note that these changes affect how employers are handling drug testing and off-duty cannabis use.

How have the recent updates impacted cannabis regulations and legalization in California?

The recent updates protect employees from discrimination based on off-duty cannabis use without compromising workplace safety. However, this excludes some positions, such as those that need a federal background check or security clearance.

What are the guidelines for marijuana consumption under the updated California laws?

Guidelines now emphasize the importance of non-discrimination against employees for off-duty cannabis use if it does not impair their work performance or violate federal regulations.

What are the implications for consumers and businesses?

The California Cannabis Laws continue to evolve, focusing on balancing individual rights with workplace safety and compliance requirements. Businesses should revise their drug testing policies to align with the new mandates that protect employees' off-duty use, ensuring that discrimination based on cannabis use is avoided. Consumers, particularly employees, gain protections regarding off-duty use but must remain aware of the implications for workplace impairment and federal compliance.

Actionable Best Practices and Compliance Measures

Here's how you can ensure compliance while focusing on what really matters—your employees' current qualifications and skills:

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Adopt accurate testing methods. Make sure you use SAMHSA-certified testing for highly accurate, trusted results.
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Recognize impaired behavior. Train your managers to spot signs of impairment rather than relying solely on drug test results.

Health Street's Drug Testing Solutions Ensures Marijuana Regulatory Adherence in California

Staying informed with California marijuana laws can be complex, but Health Street is here to help. Our expert drug testing solutions are designed to help you understand and adapt to the latest regulations, promoting a safe and productive workplace. Reach out to us today. For more detailed guidance on compliance, visit California Marijuana Compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the California Marijuana Laws for Possession?

As an employee, you can refuse to undergo drug testing. However, in some situations (depending on your occupation and the state where you live), you may risk termination.

Citations

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Russo, K. J. (2023, August 25). California enacts law prohibiting employment discrimination based on off-duty marijuana use, effective 2024. Legal News & Business Law News. https://www.natlawreview.com/article/california-enacts-law-prohibiting-employment-discrimination-based-duty-marijuana-use
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Bill text. Bill Text - AB-2188 Discrimination in employment: use of cannabis. (n.d.). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2188
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California to protect employee off-duty cannabis use effective 2024. Perkins Coie. (n.d.). https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/news-insights/california-to-protect-employee-off-duty-cannabis-use-effective-2024.html
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Bill text. Bill Text - SB-700 Employment discrimination: cannabis use. (n.d.). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB700
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Governor Newsom signs law protecting employees' off-duty marijuana use. Ogletree. (2023, October 6). https://ogletree.com/insights-resources/blog-posts/governor-newsom-signs-law-protecting-employees-off-duty-marijuana-use/
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California 2024 New Cannabis Laws and compliance guidelines: Understanding the implications of AB 2188 and SB 700. Axis Legal Counsel. (2023, December 18). https://axislc.com/public/california-2024-new-cannabis-laws-and-compliance-guidelines-understanding-the-implications-of-ab-2188-and-sb-700/
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California Cannabis Laws 2024: AB 2188 updates. DISA. (n.d.). https://disa.com/news/weed-at-work-update-on-cannabis-in-california
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Zaller, A. (2023, November 7). Understanding the shift: California's ban on employer cannabis inquiries and testing. California Employment Law Report. https://www.californiaemploymentlawreport.com/2023/10/understanding-the-shift-californias-ban-on-employer-cannabis-inquiries-and-testing/
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California laws and penalties. NORML. (2023, January 10). https://norml.org/laws/california-penalties/
Diana Vaculova
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Diana Vaculova
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