As the deadline for state budget looms just 12 days away, Governor Andrew Cuomo has vowed to include the full legalization of marijuana as part of his plan. But recreational use after the potential legalization of the drug won’t be so simple.
Even if marijuana is legalized in New York state, those who choose to use it could still face penalties outside of legal consequences. Many employers will still continue testing for marijuana use through drug tests, according to Syracuse based attorney Christopher Burke.
“It’s not only a matter of legality,” he said. “It’s also once you have employment or are a student or something you may also have to adhere to a whole different set of rules.”
This may be bad news for many central New Yorkers.
In an NCC News poll conducted today, the vast majority of respondents voted in favor of legalizing the drug in New York state. To make matters more complicated, most of them are young adults who are preparing to enter the workforce. Burke said that a variety of professional fields will be affected.
“Airline pilots, medical people, machine operators, all that sort of thing [could be tested],” he said. “[Employers in these fields] want to know that you’re not engaging in marijuana use.”
If employers continue testing for marijuana after the drug is legalized, a clash is inevitable between users who are qualified for jobs and employers looking to hire could be inevitable.
Fully legalizing marijuana could spark a fierce battle between workers and employers, and something will have to give. While the legal woes will end if Albany legalizes marijuana, the fallout of the decision will affect central New Yorkers for the foreseeable future.
