The State of Delaware has announced a new Marijuana and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy.
The policy prohibits using cannabis in all its forms, as well as alcohol and other controlled substances, in all state-owned, operated, and leased buildings.
The policy went into effect in response to the enactment of House Bill 1, which states that consuming marijuana in an area accessible to the public or a moving vehicle remains unlawful, and House Bill 2, which allows an employer who occupies, owns, or controls a property to prohibit or regulate the possession, consumption, use, display, transfer, distribution, sale, transportation, or growing of marijuana on or in that property.
The twin bills that went into effect without the governor’s signature took away penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and set in motion the legal sale of recreational weed. Growing marijuana remains outside licensed medical marijuana greenhouses remains illegal.
The policy requires all executive branch employees to acknowledge and adhere to the policy. The policy allows state agencies to issue supplemental, more restrictive alcohol and drug-free policies to comply with federal and state laws, according to a release.
The policy states that violations, including the use of, or impairment by, alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances in the workplace, will not be tolerated. State employees who violate the policy may face disciplinary action or dismissal.
Further details
- – Current employees were notified on May 10th to read and acknowledge the policy through the Delaware Learning Center, which is the state’s established online learning platform.
- – Newly hired employees will receive the policy upon hire and must acknowledge it within 30 days.
- – Executive branch agencies must post a copy of this policy in a conspicuous workplace location, including links on relevant websites.
- – Employees must attend required training as assigned.
