The post AutoNation Stops Discrimination Against Weed Users appeared first on High Times.
Hiring practices and employment-related drug tests are some of the tension points that seem to surface when states legalize weed. If cannabis is legal in a state, can employers still drug test job applicants or employees for weed? Can they refuse to hire someone who tests positive? Can a company fire someone for failing a weed test? In most cases, employers can still discriminate based on weed use. But some companies are taking matters into their hands by simply choosing not to care whether or not an employee or job applicant consumes cannabis. One example is car dealership company AutoNation Inc. With some key policy changes, AutoNation stops discrimination against weed users.
Changing Attitudes Toward Weed
AutoNation Inc. is one of the biggest car dealership groups in the United States. Back in the day, the company maintained a policy of screening out employees and job applicants who failed a drug test. The policy was in line with how most other companies operated—and continue to operate.
But, unlike many other companies, AutoNation has decided to change its company policies to reflect changing attitudes and laws about weed. More specifically, the company no longer refuses to hire people who test positive for cannabis use.
The change was made quietly, but it has since gained the praise of many in the cannabis community. Further, some see it as indicative of a larger trend in which employers and companies may be moving away from strict no-cannabis hiring policies.
For AutoNation in particular, the change to company policy represents a full turnaround from earlier practices.
“If you tested positive for marijuana, you couldn’t join our company,” AutoNation