Washington, D.C. allows both medical and recreational cannabis use. The Cannabis Employment Protections Amendment Act of 2022, once effective, will require employers to treat qualifying patients’ use of medical cannabis for a disability similarly to the use of other controlled substances prescribed by healthcare professionals. However, exceptions exist for safety-sensitive positions and when federal obligations apply.
Legal Status: Yes, medical and recreational
Protections for Medicinal Users & Exceptions: Employers cannot discriminate against employees based on the lawful use of medical cannabis unless the employee works in a safety-sensitive position or federal obligations apply.
Protections for Recreational Users & Exceptions: Once effective, the law will protect recreational users from employment discrimination unless they work in safety-sensitive positions or federal obligations apply.
Restrictions on Testing for Cannabis: Employers can take action against employees for cannabis use if specific articulable symptoms interfere with job performance or safety.
Miscellaneous: The law includes exemptions for safety-sensitive positions and federal obligations.