A Washington State House committee advanced legislation on Tuesday that would protect job applicants in the state from being discriminated against for using marijuana.
The bill, which already passed the full Senate last month, would forbid most employers from rejecting applicants simply for testing positive for cannabis on pre-employment drug tests. Workers could still be fired for a positive marijuana test that occurs after they’re hired, however.
Lawmakers on the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee voted 6–3 along party lines to approve the measure, SB 5123.
Committee chair Rep. Liz Berry (D) said before the final vote that the bill “protects workers in our state who legally use cannabis, which is a legal substance here in Washington” and “prevents discrimination from cannabis use in Washington, just like alcohol is permitted.” In fact, the legislation provides no additional protections for people who use marijuana once they are employed.
The bill’s supporters say the change is needed because many Washingtonians don’t apply for jobs due to fear of failing a drug test.
“This will allow for more people to apply for jobs without having to worry that they’re going to be screened out in that hiring process,” co-sponsor Sen. Derek Stanford
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