Navigating construction industry medical marijuana use in Pennsylvania

In 2016, Gov. Tom Wolf signed Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program into law, adding the Commonwealth to a list of 24 U.S. states with similar statutes. Though this program is a step in the fight for access to more pain management therapies, it also causes confusion among employers that are required to abide by the law – especially construction companies.

How to protect your company:

• Pay attention to contracts – federal contracts may prohibit medical marijuana use.

• Evaluate employee roles – can employees perform job duties while using medical marijuana?

• Ensure company policies on drug use, drug testing and accommodations address prescribed marijuana use.

– Josh Lorenz & Elaina Smiley, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott