The News & Observer recently interviewed hemp and cannabis law attorney Tyler Russell about the complexities surrounding the consumption of CBD-infused products and workplace drug testing in North Carolina.
The article titled "Can you be fired in NC for using CBD or hemp? Yes, but it's not cut and dry. Here's why," highlights the challenges of differentiating between legal hemp products and illegal marijuana consumption in drug tests, as well as the legal framework for employers and employees in the state. From the article:
“If an employee fails a drug test for the presence of THC, that employee might have done something illegal, but they might not have done something illegal, so the employers kind of bear the burden at this point in time of taking additional steps to try and investigate and figure out whether or not there is cause or justification for taking whatever action it is,” Russell said.
“A positive drug test is just not enough to safely terminate or reprimand an employee today,” said Russell, who co-chairs the firm’s Hemp Law practice group.
Read the full article by Luciana Pereze Hribe Guinassi here.