The State of Michigan is considering ending a regulation that requires potential employees to get tested for marijuana before being hired.
The Michigan Civil Service Commission is proposing a change in regulations to end testing for marijuana before the hiring of state employees. The changes would not apply to certain jobs, including ones in the Michigan State Police and Department of Corrections.
Amanda Chuan is a professor at Michigan State University's School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. She says worker shortages in recent years have led many employers to dial back on drug testing.
“Given that employers are struggling to hire, they want to expand that pool of labor market by you doing away with first educational requirements, and now it's drug testing.”
The commission says about 350 people since 2018 have had job offers with the state rescinded for having tested positive for marijuana.