Medical Marijuana

Small Business Owners Have Mixed Reactions About Weed at Work

A new survey shows that 74 percent of small business don’t drug test their employees. Nearly half don't have written policies banning marijuana in the workplace.
By: | December 7, 2015

Nearly one-fifth of small business owners are OK with employees using medical marijuana at work, as long as they have a doctor’s recommendation. A survey of more than 500 employers also showed nearly half do not have written policies banning marijuana in the workplace, and most, 74 percent, don’t drug test their employees.

The survey was conducted via telephone during May by Employers Holdings Inc. It included owners of businesses with fewer than 100 workers.

“The prevalence of controlled substances in the workplace may be greater than employers believe,” the company wrote in a statement. “Eighty-one percent of the small business owners polled said they were unconcerned (20 percent not too concerned, 61 percent not at all concerned) that their employees would come to work under the influence of marijuana now that it is becoming legal in more states. Nearly one in 10 small business owners indicated that employees have shown up for work under the influence of a controlled substance, including marijuana, alcohol or narcotic painkillers.”

The company recommends every business develop a drug-free workplace policy. Medical director Dr. Dwight Robertson suggested the policy:

• Build employee awareness by educating workers about the dangers of drug use on the job and assuring they understand the company’s policies pertaining to it.
• Establish guidelines about the specific drug-related activities that are prohibited as part of employment. These should include the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana or other controlled or illicit substances; indicate which substances are prohibited; and outline the consequences for failing to comply with company policies. Some businesses also require periodic drug testing for all employees.
• Enforce consequences such as disciplinary action up to and including termination.

“We encourage all small businesses to maintain drug-free workplaces because employees who are under the influence of illicit substances, or misuse or abuse prescription drugs can put themselves, other employees, or customers at risk of injury or other harm,” Robertson said. “The most important step employers can take is to have a clearly documented workplace safety policy that specifically addresses drug use in the workplace.”

Nancy Grover is the president of NMG Consulting and the Editor of Workers' Compensation Report, a publication of our parent company, LRP Publications. She can be reached at [email protected].

More from Risk & Insurance