No Legit Excuse For Positive THC Test, New Rules Double Weed License Fees & Latest Reg Updates

Alaska Airlines Employee's Job Restored In Marijuana Case As Federal Stance On Cannabis Remains Strict

In Washington State, a technician employed by Alaska Airlines faced termination after testing positive for cannabis after a random drug test in July 2022. This decision was overturned recently when the technician, whose name was withheld, challenged it. The worker claimed he had unknowingly consumed cannabis and was clueless about how THC ended up in his system.

According to the arbitration panel's decision details, reported Marijuana Moment, the employee "denied using marijuana or other drugs, and could not explain the positive drug result other than speculating he may have unwittingly ingested a marijuana edible at a block party/barbecue he had recently attended."

Meanwhile, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced on Thursday that medical marijuana users in legal states are not allowed to test positive for THC.

Marijuana Moment's Kyle Jaeger highlighted that the amended federal workplace drug testing guidelines reflect the "federal government's ongoing prohibitionist stance."

"Although an increased number of States have authorized marijuana use for medical purposes, marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance and cannot be prescribed under Federal law," the two notices from SAMHSA stipulate. "For purposes of the Federal drug-free workplace program, federal law pertaining to marijuana control supersedes State marijuana laws, and therefore, a physician's recommendation for marijuana use is not a legitimate medical explanation for a positive marijuana test."

See also: Walmart's Legal Victory Over NJ Resident Who Lost Job Opportunity In Pre-Employment Cannabis Test

New Rules Could Double License Fees for New Mexico Cannabis Microbusinesses

New Mexico cannabis microbusinesses could see their annual license fees double to $1,000, reported Green Market Report.

That is if a package of proposed rules pending a public comment period is enacted into law. The state Regulation and Licensing Department's Cannabis Control Division's members are set to discuss the policy change in their upcoming Nov. 13 meeting.

A spokesperson for the state cannabis regulator said New Mexico is home to 501 micro businesses at the moment, including 302 micro-integrated licenses and 199 micro-producers.

Judge's Decision Sparks Debate: Should Maryland Allow Delta-8 THC Sales

In last week's ruling, Circuit Court Judge Brett R. Wilson postponed enacting a provision of the state's cannabis law that halted sales of products with "intoxicating levels of THC derived from hemp."

The temporary suspension this past summer follows a lawsuit filed by the Maryland Hemp Coalition and other hemp businesses.

According to the Washington Post, Maryland officials seeking to dismiss the legal action opposed the Judge's Wilson decision.

"The Administration was disappointed to learn of the preliminary decision in Washington County Circuit Court allowing for the continued sale of unregulated, untested, and intoxicating hemp-derived products," William Tilburg, director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration said.

Activists In Another Texas City Fight To Decriminalize Weed

Meanwhile, cannabis activists in yet another Texas city are pushing to get a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the ballot, reported Marijuana Moment.

Adam Hernandez, communications chair for Lubbock Compact said in a press release that the activists garnered enough, 8,800 signatures, to do so.

"We are extremely proud of all of the volunteers on our team and everyone else who is helping us collect signatures," Hernandez said.

The Lubbock city secretary received the paperwork for the Freedom Act Lubbock ordinance, filed by the committee spearheading the initiative in August.

Now read: Marijuana Decriminalization Gains Momentum In Texas As Cities Rebel

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