Governor Ralph Northam has signed into law House Bill 1862. This bill provides employment protection for state-registered medical cannabis patients.

The new law prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or otherwise discriminating against employees; for their lawful use of medical cannabis oil while away from the job. This bill will offer much needed employment protection for those using cannabis for medical reasons.

It does not restrict an employer’s ability to impose sanctions upon employees if they are under the influence of cannabis while at work. This also does not limit an employer’s ability to restrict employees from possessing cannabis while at work. The law will take effect July 1, 2021.

Virginia does have a high number of federal contractors so the legislation would not require an employer “to commit any act that would cause the employer to be in violation of federal law or that would result in the loss of a federal contract or federal funding.”

The Defense industrial base sector will not be required to retain or hire any employee or applicant who tests positive for THC greater than 50 ng/ml for a urine test or 10 pg/mg for a hair test. Read the full article here.

The Virginia Governor is currently pushing to legalize the possession of cannabis by adults.

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