LANSING (WWJ) -- Michigan is dropping marijuana drug testing for some new hires, beginning next month.
This change will affect people who work for the State of Michigan, WWJ's Beth Fisher reported on Monday.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2023, drug tests for marijuana use among some of the government's tens of thousands of employees who work for the state will end.
The Michigan Civil Service Commission unanimously agreed to remove marijuana testing from pre-employment drug testing protocols.
Officials said the policy change will impact about two-thirds of the jobs within the state government.
"Whether or not we agree with (recreational marijuana) is kind of beyond the point in terms of pre-hire," said Commissioner Nick Ciaramitaro, discussing the issue over the summer, as reported by Fox 2 Detroit. "Use of marijuana on the job is different than having used it months before you take the test."
"It doesn't make sense to eliminate qualified people because they took a gummy two weeks ago," Ciaramitaro said.
Employees who work in law enforcement, operate vehicles, provide health care, or work with prisoners or parolees are among those who will still be tested for cannabis before being hired, officials said. In addition, those who work with unsupervised access to controlled substances or handle hazardous or explosive materials will still be tested for pot.
The change will not impact random, routine drug testing.
To be clear, this is a policy change only for Michigan government workers. Individual employers still set their own drug testing policies.