Description

Cannabis can have a major impact on efficiency and safety at work, and impending legalization will create new challenges for Maryland employers. Ready or not, adult recreational use cannabis is legal in Maryland starting on July 1st. 

A recent National Safety Council survey revealed one third of employees have seen cannabis use during work hours. The survey also found: 

● More than half of employers that eliminated THC testing reported an increase in workplace-related incidents and performance concerns. 

● Most employers believe employees would feel comfortable telling their supervisor if they were too impaired to work, while less than half of employees reported that they would feel comfortable doing so. 

● Less than half of organizations have a written cannabis policy. 

Doug Desmarais, a labor law attorney with Smith & Downey, P.A., will be conducting a webinar on Thursday, June 22, from noon to 1 pm. Doug will discuss the current status of the legalization of cannabis in Maryland, including the impact on human resources, safety sensitive issues, and what you should be doing now to prepare for dealing with adult use cannabis. 

Participation in the webinar is free. Register today! 

Speaker Bio:

Doug Desmarais is a partner with Smith & Downey, P.A., where his practice deals with all aspects of employment relationships, with particular emphasis on educating employers about the many labor and employment laws that govern the workplace, and helping employers comply with these laws, thus avoiding costly and time-consuming litigation. Additionally, Mr. Desmarais has extensive experience in representing clients before the EEOC, DOL, OFCCP, NLRB, and numerous other federal, state and local agencies and courts. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and District of Columbia Bar. Mr. Desmarais earned his B.A. degree from Brigham Young University, his J.D. degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, and his LL.M. degree in labor law from Georgetown University School of Law.