Hartford County Bar Association presents:

Dazed and Confused: Law and Policy Concerning Marijuana in the Workplace; How Attorneys and Business Owners Can Comply and Assist Employees

Though a majority of states have legalized marijuana in some form, it remains illegal at the federal level and the issue continues to evolve. Given the friction between state and federal law, states are faced with the challenge of whether to expand beyond medical marijuana to legalization of recreational use of the drug.

• Recreational marijuana is legal in ten states, plus Washington, DC.
• Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states, plus DC.
• CBD oil/nonpsychoactive forms of marijuana are legal in an additional 14 states, under certain circumstances.
• Three states currently do not have laws legalizing marijuana in some form.

Now that a majority of the public, lawmakers and the Governor in Connecticut seem to support legalization of marijuana, the workplace and business environment are likely to get more complex. This program will help you understand the current law concerning marijuana and drug testing, recent policies, employment policies and how to get impaired employees back to work to protect your business, help workers and avoid liability.

Attend this CLE program to hear answers to specific questions and issues such as:

• What is the status of marijuana legalization in Connecticut?
• How is medical marijuana regulated by the Department of Consumer Protection?
• What are the recent policies from the legislature and rulings from the courts regarding medical marijuana? How are the policies expected to change or be shaped in the future?
• Have there been new developments regarding research studies or tests to determine impairment?
• How to identify and determine whether an employee is using illicit drugs and approaches to take, from assistance and accommodation to discipline.
• What law firms can do to help attorneys and staff who suffer from substance abuse and protect their clients.
• Can an employer refuse to hire a person who uses marijuana outside of work while off-duty?
• Can employers (including federal contractors) rely solely on federal law or their status as a federal contractor when making employment decisions with regard to applicants and employees who use medical marijuana?
• Develop legal strategies to help clients manage risk, minimize liability and improve business performance.

This program will provide all attorneys with practical information to remain current and informed about new laws and policies relating to marijuana in the workplace.

 Panelists:

Stephen C. Lattanzio, Senior Attorney, Office of Program Policy, Connecticut Department of Labor

Michelle Seagull, Commissioner, Department of Consumer Protection

Mark Soycher, Counsel, Human Resource Services, CBIA

Rep. Steven J. Stafstrom Jr. (D-Bridgeport), House Chairman, Judiciary Committee; Member, Pullman & Comley

Laura C. Zeppieri, LADC, AADC, ICOGS, GC-C, FACETS Counseling Services, LLC

 Moderator:

Matthew P. Hallisey, Matthew Hallisey Government Affairs, LLC