PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia businesses will no longer be allowed to require a screening for marijuana use as a condition for employment, under a bill that passed in the City Council on Thursday.
Councilman Derek Green introduced the bill to reflect the fact that medicinal marijuana use is now legal. It allows exceptions for law enforcement, professional drivers, caregivers and federal jobs that still have the requirement.
It passed with Republican David Oh as the lone no vote.
Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson’s bill to allow entertainment at outdoor dining spots will have to wait another week for a vote.
She offered amendments putting more restrictions on the permits, and allowing the Streets Department greater leeway to regulate them.
Gilmore Richardson said the process the bill has gone through reminded her of the old saw.
"If you like laws and sausages, you should never watch either one of them being made," she said.
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The council also passed a resolution congratulating the Solar Savings Grant Program. It provides funding for rooftop solar installation in low income zip codes to expand inclusion in the clean energy transition.
Concilwoman Cindy Bass introduced a bill intended to address “period poverty,” by requiring city facilities to provide free feminine hygiene products in their rest rooms.
“Students, low income women and homeless women face period poverty,” Bass said, also decrying the “pink tax” on the items.
“Men's grooming products and erectile dysfunction medication are not taxed.”
Councilman Curtis Jones introduced a resolution Thursday to create a Philadelphia Youth Act that would negotiate peace treaties between rival gangs. He sees possibly limited-term agreements between groups leading to a longer-term reduction in violence.
“I would like us to discuss how we could get credible messengers with some of the actors at a table, to get young people to shake hands and agree not to kill each other," he said.