§ 26-2C-34 — Employer protections; exemptions

A. Unless there is an agreement between the employer and employee, nothing in the Cannabis Regulation Act shall: (1) restrict an employer's ability to prohibit or take an adverse employment action against an employee for impairment by or possession or use of intoxicating substances at work or during work hours; (2) require an employer to commit any act that would cause the employer to be noncompliant with or in violation of federal law or federal regulations or that would result in the loss of a federal contract or federal funding; or (3) prevent or infringe upon the rights of an employer to adopt and implement a written zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of cannabis products. A zero- tolerance policy may permit the discipline or termination of an employee on the basis of a positive drug test that indicates any amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or delta- 9-tetrahydrocannabinol metabolite. B. The Cannabis Regulation Act does not apply to an employee of an employer subject to the provisions of Title 2 of the federal Railway Labor Act. C. Nothing in the Cannabis Regulation Act shall be construed to invalidate, diminish or otherwise interfere with any collective bargaining agreement nor shall it be construed to invalidate, diminish or otherwise interfere with any party's power to collectively bargain such an agreement, or to an employer or employee. D. As used in this section, "adverse employment action" means refusing to hire or employ a person; barring or discharging a person from employment; requiring a person to retire from employment; or discriminating against an employee in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

Legislative History

Laws 2021 (1st S.S.), ch. 4, § 34.