100 likes | 217 Views
Welcome!. February 13, 1991. Legalization . 2014: first legal medical use (very restricted) 42,203 total approved applications so far* 2019: Opioid Alternative Pilot Program More than 5 million opioid prescriptions were given to over 2 million Illinoisans in 2017*
E N D
Legalization • 2014: first legal medical use (very restricted) 42,203 total approved applications so far* • 2019: Opioid Alternative Pilot Program More than 5 million opioid prescriptions were given to over 2 million Illinoisans in 2017* • Bottom line: more demand with or without recreational legalization *Sun-Times 9/5/18
Proposed Recreational Legalization • Businesses seeking a license will have to file a plan for diversity in hiring. • Local areas may prohibit or restrict industry. • Mandatory expungement of prior convictions for class 4 felony or any misdemeanor violation of Cannabis Control Act. • Prior convictions won’t prohibit industry employment or ownership.
Proposed Recreational Legalization • More licenses to create more paths into industry: • Cultivator (more in Greater IL) • Dispensary • Craft Grower • Processing • Transporter
Proposed Recreational Legalization • New Restoring Our Communities (ROC) model. Provide state funds from cannabis tax to communities ravaged by the War on Drugs. Overseen by ROC board. • Public consumption will remain illegal. • Employers can still screen for cannabis.
Drug Testing • Complication: There is no cannabis breathalyzer. • Employers will still be able to test for cannabis. • Landlords will still be able to prohibit smoking. • Federal law may still link testing to programs.
Employer Discussion • Does your business currently drug test some or all employees for cannabis? Why or why not? • Do you plan to change any drug screening policies if recreational cannabis becomes legal? • How do you currently handle candidates or staff who have medical cannabis prescriptions? If it hasn’t come up, do you have plans in case it does?
Small Group Discussion • How many of your programs require drug tests? • How do you talk to program participants about drug screenings right now? • Do you expect this to change if recreational cannabis is legalized? • Do you have participants with medical cannabis prescriptions? Has this been a challenge? • You all work for employers. What are your organizations’ drug testing policies? • What other questions do you have about current and future cannabis policy?
Report Back • What were takeaways from your table? • What questions do you still have? • Are any organizations pursuing or interested in hiring partnerships with cannabis businesses?