Attorney Ryan Hancock Discusses Pre-Hire Marijuana Testing in Philadelphia Inquirer

Willig, Williams & Davidson labor lawyer and Employment Law Group chair Ryan Hancock recently was quoted in an article for The Philadelphia Inquirer regarding Philadelphia’s ban on pre-hire marijuana testing.

“What to know about Philadelphia’s ban on pre-hire marijuana testing” discusses a new city law that bars many employers from testing job applicants for cannabis use. The law applies only to pre-employment drug screenings and contains exemptions for those who work in law enforcement, need a commercial driver’s license, or supervise vulnerable populations.

The ordinance applies only to employers in Philadelphia. It will be enforced by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, and violators may face fines of $150 to 300, with stiffer penalties for repeat offenders.

Hancock told the newspaper that employers still are allowed to test prospective employees for marijuana in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, though neither state requires employers to test for marijuana use.

“I imagine that more and more municipalities, cities, and states will reevaluate their hiring policies,” Hancock said, noting that increased legalization of marijuana will further complicate the legality of employment-related drug testing.

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