Employers on legalizing marijuana
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Making pot legal here in Washington won't only change things from a criminal standpoint, but it could also change things for businesses. Action News found that a lot of them are taking a closer look at their drug testing policies.
There's more to legalizing marijuana in Washington than just the criminal impact. For example, businesses like Matson Fruit Company might have to re-think their drug testing policy on employees.
Do they still screen for pot?
"It really doesn't change things much about the way we do things here at Matson Fruit Co. we have random testing of safety sensitive people and supervisors and we're going to continue to do that," said Daryl Matson, Matson Fruit Company’s HR director.
Matson Fruit frequently screens about 80 of almost 300 employees for drugs. The company maintains it's a matter of safety.
"Being close to machinery and being around other people so you don't hurt other people. You're putting them in danger, yourself and others," said Antonio Zuno, a six year employee.
Action News also checked with other big local players about what this means to their policies. The city of Yakima, Yakima transit, ESD 105, businesses and assisted living communities. They all said there are no plans to change their drug testing policies and that they are following federal law that still says pot is illegal.
Matson says he's now considering testing more employees with I-502 passing and expects other businesses to do the same.
"I think they would have to consider drug testing and testing for marijuana if it’s going to be out there it could hurt your safety of your employees and of your workforce. It could be a serious concern-they need to stay alert and on top of this," said Matson.
Employers say even if marijuana is legal, they don't want anyone working who is high.
Washington plans to use 40 percent of the taxes raised from marijuana in the general fund. The rest would go to drug prevention, research, education and health care.
There's more to legalizing marijuana in Washington than just the criminal impact. For example, businesses like Matson Fruit Company might have to re-think their drug testing policy on employees.
Do they still screen for pot?
"It really doesn't change things much about the way we do things here at Matson Fruit Co. we have random testing of safety sensitive people and supervisors and we're going to continue to do that," said Daryl Matson, Matson Fruit Company’s HR director.
Matson Fruit frequently screens about 80 of almost 300 employees for drugs. The company maintains it's a matter of safety.
"Being close to machinery and being around other people so you don't hurt other people. You're putting them in danger, yourself and others," said Antonio Zuno, a six year employee.
Action News also checked with other big local players about what this means to their policies. The city of Yakima, Yakima transit, ESD 105, businesses and assisted living communities. They all said there are no plans to change their drug testing policies and that they are following federal law that still says pot is illegal.
Matson says he's now considering testing more employees with I-502 passing and expects other businesses to do the same.
"I think they would have to consider drug testing and testing for marijuana if it’s going to be out there it could hurt your safety of your employees and of your workforce. It could be a serious concern-they need to stay alert and on top of this," said Matson.
Employers say even if marijuana is legal, they don't want anyone working who is high.
Washington plans to use 40 percent of the taxes raised from marijuana in the general fund. The rest would go to drug prevention, research, education and health care.
So, more companies locally want to drug test. OK. Let's do it but not just for people with an Rx for medical marijuana. Let's test for benzodiazapines, oxy and hydro-codones, alcohol. A prescribed medication that causes a person to not be able to do their job shouldn't be taked at work. If someone on prescription medication can do their job and not screw up that is all the better. People who don't have chronic pain or nausea that is debilitating should walk in a different pair of shoes for a while.
Yeah spend large amounts testing PEE. The ignorance of people amaze me. No one wants people on Rx pills when working or drunk. OOOOOOOOOOOOO scary let's spend more unnecssary money , money that could go towards better bennies for the employees. Good God let's not do that!
Marijuana tests are so easy to beat it is pathetic !!
I see nothing this law accomplished. Also those businesses best look at alcoholism white they're at it!
 @Rollo Smith because prohibition worked so well the first time.Â
Our legislatures in Wa State are a bunch of fools. I know without a doubt that marajuana started my wife down the road to drug dependency. She started on marajuana, which caused our divorce and then she moved on to harder drugs. She is now in ill health and wonders why our relationship ended. We had two kids and they were forced to live with her addiction because of the climate which existed saying that a female should have the kids. I couldn't afford to fight her in court based on my suspecions. My kids finally told me she was doing hard drugs when they left her for good. Wa State is a disaster waiting for a place to happen and our elected officials have brought this on us. I did not vote to legalize marajuans, it should have never been on a ballot.Â
 @Pete Your wife is to blame, not pot. She already had an addictive personality. Not all pot smokers are addicts and ruin their lives. I DO NOT smoke pot but am totally for legalizing it.Â
 @Pete dude YOU are the gateway, I am soooooooooooooooooooo sorry your ex had an addictive personality that she could not control, why should that befront MY PERSONAL LIBERTIES AND FREEDOM!!!! ???????Sucks to be her but why should the masses suffer for one person who has no will power?????? Why did her peeps around her let her fall down the shoot?huh
 @Pete marijuana is not to blame for addictive behavior. what ever happened to bieng responsible for the choices we make? more people abuse alchohol , cigarettes, fast food , more people die from all of these. marijuana is not to blame for your wifes addiction. your wife is.Â
 @S D  @Pete True story SD, most people need something to blame problems on and marijuana is the thing they've been brainwashed into being the scapegoat.
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I'm going to guess this wife also drinks lattes and coffee at least a few times a week, why wouldn't caffeine be her gateway drug? People make their own choices good or bad, blaming it on a plant is silliness.