New law in Nevada makes it illegal for employers to deny job to employee if they test positive for marijuana

June 13, 2019:

State lawmakers in Nevada have made it illegal for employers to deny a job to a prospective employee if they test positive for marijuana — the first state in the country to pass such legislation.

The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Steve Sisolak on June 5, makes an exception for job seekers applying to be firefighters or emergency medical technicians, according to the bill.

Employees that have to drive for work and pass a screening test required by state or federal law are also not granted the protection, the bill states.

“As our legal cannabis industry continues to flourish, it’s important to expand opportunities for all Nevadans,” Sisolak wrote on Twitter after he signed the law. “That’s why I was proud to sign this bill into law, which contains common-sense exceptions for public safety and transportation professionals.”

The law will go into effect in 2020.

Maine passed a similar protection when it legalized marijuana in 2016 — barring employers from discriminating against employees who use marijuana, but its law did not specifically mention drug testing.

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