This past summer, Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas, D, introduced a measure to ban pre-employment testing for cannabis for potential city government workers. On September 23, city council members voted 11-2 in favor to make this measure a law in the city. 

“It shall be unlawful for the City of Kansas City to require a prospective employee to submit to testing for the presence of marijuana in the prospective employee’s system as a condition of employment,” the ordinance states.

Mayor Lucas took to Twitter to express his gratitude for the city council’s vote. “Opportunities should not be foreclosed unnecessarily. Glad to see passage of our law eliminating pre-employment screening for marijuana at Kansas City government for most positions. One step of many in becoming a fairer city.”

There are exceptions to the new rule, however. These exceptions are similar to the measure Philadelphia approved in April. Law enforcement officials will still receive pre-employment cannabis tests, along with positions required to have commercial driver’s licenses. Finally, anyone supervising children, medical patients, the disabled, or vulnerable individuals will also be screened for cannabis in pre-employment tests. 

“Working to eliminate pre-employment marijuana testing from the City application process is one of several common-sense steps I’m proud my administration has taken to build an inclusive City workforce and ensure employment opportunities exist for more Kansas Citians — particularly for hourly workers who disproportionally come from Kansas City’s Black or brown communities,” Mayor Lucas previously said.

Continued Reform

This isn’t the first measure Mayor Lucas has brought forth to help Kansas City become what he considers to be a fairer city. Previously, the mayor introduced, and the city council passed, a measure to remove all local criminal penalties for cannabis possession. 

Mayor Lucas explained his position on cannabis policing on Twitter when his previous ordinance passed in the summer of 2020. “The City doesn’t need to be in the marijuana policing business—and we remain focused on helping open doors to new opportunities & empowering people to make a decent living.”

Kansas City is moving forward towards cannabis reform, with Mayor Quinton Lucas at the helm. He says there are several more ordinances to come regarding cannabis. Should more information become available, we will update you with the latest. 

Make sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic related news.