The New York City Fire Department is going to stop marijuana testing for its firefighters and applicants.
On July 14, the department issued a memo stating the decision to stop testing is in conjunction with the city’s Law Department issuing “guidance that prohibits adverse employment actions based on off-hours marijuana usage,” according to law firm Harris Bricken.
This policy change will not take place immediately as the department said it will issue guidance on these changes within the next two weeks.
Testing OK if on-the-job use suspected
To be clear, this doesn’t mean firefighters can use marijuana while on duty, however it seems they will receive the same protections any adult user will have through licensing from the city’s Cannabis Control Board and the Office of Cannabis Management.
In other words, off-duty use is acceptable, but the department will continue to test workers who are suspected of being intoxicated on the job.
NYPD also considering changes
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) initially released a statement similar to the fire department’s but later retracted it for further consideration.
After the retraction, NYPD said it must consult with city officials to evaluate “federal conflicts.”
