New York State Prohibits Cannabis Testing under Most Circumstances | First Advantage
2026-03-01 21:40 Diff
https://fadv.com/blog/important-development-new-york-state-prohibits-cannabis-testing-under-most-circumstances/

Introduction

On March 31, 2021 Governor Cuomo signed into law Senate Bill 854-A, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“The Act”), legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in New York State.  First Advantage blogged about the Act in April of 2021 and noted that regulations concerning the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”) would be forthcoming.[1]

Just recently, the New York Department of Labor (“DOL”) published guidance and FAQs entitled “Adult Use Cannabis And The Workplace – New York Labor Law 201-D” (the Guidance) to address questions related to the MRTA.[2] That Guidance can be found here: https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/10/p420-cannabisfaq-10-08-21.pdf.

MRTA legalized recreational marijuana use and possession for adults who are 21 and older, effective March 31, 2021, and amended New York Labor Law Section 201-d, the legal activities law. This Guidance becomes effective immediately and clarifies that the MRTA prohibits cannabis testing under most circumstances.

Employer Impact

As communicated by First Advantage Compliance in April 2021, under the Act New York employers may not refuse to hire, employ, discharge, or otherwise discriminate against someone who uses cannabis lawfully while off-duty and off-premises and while not using the employer’s equipment or other property.

Moreover, the Guidance states that a drug test result cannot serve as a basis for an employer’s conclusion that an employee was impaired by marijuana; and, that the smell of marijuana, by itself, is not evidence of “articulable symptoms of impairment.”

Prior to the Guidance, it was not clear whether employers could still test for marijuana despite not being allowed to rely on the results for an employment decision. The Guidance clarified that the Drug testing for marijuana is not permitted except in very limited circumstances, as follows:

Permitted Employer Actions

Employers may take employment actions related to the use of cannabis based on the following:

  1. The employer is/was required to take such action by state or federal statute, regulation, ordinance, or other state or federal governmental mandate;
  2. The employer would be in violation of federal law;
  3. The employer would lose a federal contract or federal funding;
  4. The employee, while working, manifests specific articulable symptoms of cannabis impairment that decrease or lessen the employee’s performance of the employee’s tasks or duties;
  5. The employee, while working, manifests specific articulable symptoms of cannabis impairment that interfere with the employer’s obligation to provide a safe and health workplace as required by state and federal workplace safety laws.

Key Takeaways from the Guidance Frequently Asked Questions

The Guidance includes a series of Frequently Asked Questions, paraphrased below. For more information please review the guidance directly at: https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/10/p420-cannabisfaq-10-08-21.pdf

Can an employer take action against an employee for using cannabis on the job?

An employer is not prohibited from taking employment action against an employee if the employee is impaired by cannabis while working (including where the employer has not adopted an explicit policy prohibiting use), meaning the employee manifests specific articulable symptoms of impairment that:

  • Decrease or lessen the performance of their duties of tasks
  • Interfere with an employer’s obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace, free from recognized hazards, as required by state and federal occupational safety and health laws.

What are articulable symptoms of impairment?

There is no dispositive and complete list of symptoms of impairment. Rather, articulable symptoms of impairment are objectively observable indications that the employee’s performance of the duties of their position are decreased or lessened. Employers are cautioned that such articulable symptoms may also be an indication that an employee has a disability protected by federal and state law (e.g., the NYS Human Rights Law), even if such disability or condition is unknown to the employer. For example, the operation of heavy machinery in an unsafe and reckless manner maybe considered an articulable symptom of impairment.

What cannot be cited by an employer as articulable symptoms of impairment?

Observable signs of use that do not indicate impairment on their own cannot be cited as an articulable symptom of impairment. Only symptoms that provide objectively observable indications that the employee’s performance of the essential duties or tasks of their position are decreased or lessened may be cited. However, employers are not prohibited from disciplinary action against employees who are using cannabis during work hours or using employer property.

Can employers use drug testing as a basis for an articulable symptom of impairment?

No, a test for cannabis usage cannot serve as a basis for an employer’s conclusion that an employee was impaired by the use of cannabis, since such tests do not currently demonstrate impairment.

Can I fire an employee for having a noticeable odor of cannabis?

The smell of cannabis, on its own, is not evidence of articulable symptoms of impairment under Labor Law Section 201-d.

Can an employer test for cannabis?

No, unless the employer is permitted to do so pursuant to the provisions of Labor Law Section 201-d(4-a) or other applicable laws.

Can an employer drug test an employee if federal law allows for drug testing?

No, an employer cannot test an employee for cannabis merely because it is allowed or not prohibited under federal law. (See e.g., neither the Drug-Free Workplace Act nor the rules adopted thereunder authorizes drug testing of employees.) However, an employer can drug test an employee if federal or state law requires drug testing or makes it a mandatory requirement of the position.

Can employers prohibit use of cannabis during meal or break periods?

Yes, employers may prohibit cannabis during “work hours,” which for these purposes means all time, including paid and unpaid breaks and meal periods, that the employee is suffered, permitted, or expected to be engaged in work, and all time the employee is actually engaged in work. Such periods of time are still considered “work hours” if the employee leaves the worksite.

Can employers prohibit use of cannabis during periods in which an employee is on-call?

Yes, employers may prohibit cannabis during “work hours,” which includes time that the employee is on-call or “expected to be engaged in work.”

For remote employees, can employer prohibit use in the “worksite”?

The Department of Labor does not consider an employee’s private residence being used for remote work a “worksite” within the meaning of Labor Law Section 201-d. However, an employer may take action if an employee is exhibiting articulable symptoms of impairment during work hours as described above and may institute a general policy prohibiting use during working hours.

Can employers prohibit use when the employee uses a company vehicle?

Yes, employers are permitted to prohibit use in company vehicles or on the employer’s property, even after regular business hours or work shifts.

The foregoing commentary is not offered as legal advice but is instead offered for informational purposes.  First Advantage is not a law firm and does not offer legal advice.  The foregoing commentary is therefore not intended as a substitute for the legal advice of an attorney knowledgeable of the user’s individual circumstances or to provide legal advice.  First Advantage makes no assurances regarding the accuracy, completeness, currency or utility of the following information. Regulatory developments and impacts are continuing to evolve in this area.

[1] Prior to reading this update, it may be helpful to read that blog entry here: https://fadv.com/blog/new-york-recreational-cannabis-drug-testing-impacts/

[2] That Guidance can be found here: https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/10/p420-cannabisfaq-10-08-21.pdf. The FAQ section of this memorandum is from the Guidance.

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