While the state of Illinois has now legalized the use of recreational marijuana, employers are still allowed to fire workers who bring cannabis to the office, show up impaired or fail random drug tests, according to the state’s new law. In addition, companies are able to reject job applicants who don’t pass drug screens, but must do so with caution. According to Julie Stahr, a partner in labor and employment law at Schiff Hardin in Chicago, the new law has employers questioning what they can and should be doing in terms of drug testing. Attorney Stephanie Dodge Gournis suggests companies create clear policies and apply them consistently and in a nondiscriminatory way.
