With more than half of the country passing laws that permit the use of marijuana, businesses are advised to become familiar with new laws. The drug remains on Schedule 1 under the Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), in the same category with heroin. Regardless of state regulations, possession of marijuana remains a federal crime. A recent federal trial in Connecticut ended with the decision that an employer can be sued by a prospective employee after withdrawing a conditional offer of employment due to a positive drug screening for marijuana. Noffsinger v. SSC Niantic Operating Co. was a case of first impression in which the court held that the federal law does not preempt the Connecticut Palliative Use of Marijuana Act (PUMA).
