Wk 6 EOC: Weed in the Workplace

The legalization of marijuana has become a very hot topic over the past few years. With the election coming up, people are finally getting a chance to voice their opinion. If things go according to plan, it will pass and become legalized. Then employers will have to deal with the issue at hand: people working under the influence. "Nonetheless, as long as an employer has a clearly communicated and enforced policy prohibiting the use and possession of marijuana and other controlled substances while at work, that employer can likely legally terminate an employee for his or her use of recreational marijuana because use is still illegal under federal law. While the use of recreational marijuana and its impact on the workplace is still relatively new legal territory, those courts that have addressed such circumstances have thus far upheld employer termination decisions" (Atterberry). I for one, am for the legalization of marijuana. There are many benefits that help people with different health issues, such as anxiety, Alzheimer's, epileptic seizures, inflammatory bowel diseases, among many others. This is one effective way to decrease their symptoms or decrease the risk of it spreading. "There are at least two active chemicals in marijuana that researchers think have medicinal applications. Those are cannabidiol (CBD) — which seems to impact the brain without a high— and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — which has pain relieving (and other) properties." Going back to the Prohibition from 1920 to 1933, the creation, sale and distribution of alcohol was prohibited. This created many "gangsters" and underground distribution houses. That is exactly what's going on now with marijuana. People are finding ways to go around the law and partake in "recreational activities." There are many things that people do that can alter their perception and sense of common sense. This isn't the first thing that has come up. Besides all of the medical benefits, its not a hard drug like the others that are also illegal. As long as people do it responsibly, there shouldn't be an issue with it. 

Sources Cited:

 Atterberry, Rachel E.A. "Marijuana in the Workplace: A Hazy Issue for Employers." Society for Human Resource Management. N.p., 18 Sept. 2015. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.