The state of Michigan may drop a requirement that all applicants test negative for marijuana before they are hired for state jobs after the Free Press highlighted how the civil service rule was exacerbating a state hiring crunch.
On Friday, the Michigan Civil Service Commission circulated proposed rule changes that would drop pre-employment drug testing for marijuana, except for certain “designated” jobs such as state police troopers and drivers of commercial vehicles.
“One of the big problems we’re having right now is attracting and retaining sufficient personnel,” said Nick Ciaramitaro, a member of the Civil Service Commission.
Unlike alcohol, marijuana can show up on a test long after its effects have disappeared, and to bar otherwise qualified employees over a failed screening and also bar them from applying for another state job for three years “just seemed silly,” Ciaramitaro said Tuesday.
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