WA Governor - Bill Action
(May 9, 2023) - SB 5123

Starting in 2024, Washington job seekers will no longer be discriminated against due to the presence of non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites during most pre-employment drug testing.

Here are some observations from the Tuesday May 9th Washington State Office of the Governor (WA Governor) Bill Action.

My top 2 takeaways:

  • Governor Jay Inslee offered some comments before he signed the measure which was set to take effect at the start of 2024 (audio - 1m, video).
    • Mentioning SB 5123 “seeks to protect applicants from hiring discrimination if they use legal cannabis outside of work,” Inslee stated that the law featured exceptions to the protection for anyone “applying to work with the general authority law enforcement agency, a fire department, or an emergency medical service provider.” He noted that employers would be able to maintain drug-free workplaces and “prohibit applicants from using cannabis after they get hired,” before thanking Keiser for sponsoring the new law.
    • Inslee was joined by WSLCB Director of Legislative Relations Marc Webster, Kate Armstrong, Senator June Robinson’s Legislative Assistant, and two other attendees.
    • With the Governor’s signature, the legislative overview explains that “bills go to the Secretary of State who assigns a session law chapter number.” According to section 3 of the bill, the law goes into effect January 1st, 2024 and doesn’t mandate further rulemaking by state agencies.

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