Amazon has publicized its continued support to refine the nation’s cannabis policy.
In a recent press release, the organization declared its support for the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), a federal draft bill that would end cannabis prohibition, as it “makes a number of important changes” the company stands by.
"First, we support removing cannabis from the Controlled Substance Act,” said Brian Huseman, Amazon vice president of public policy. “Doing so will open significant new economic opportunities for millions of capable individuals while beginning to restore some of the damage done to highly affected communities.”
Huseman said the company believes Congress should eradicate non-violent cannabis convictions and grant resentencing for individuals currently convicted on such charges.
"For far too long, criminal marijuana provisions have been unequally enforced upon people of color, perpetuating over-incarceration, poverty, health conditions and other barriers to economic opportunity,” Huseman said. “We believe it’s necessary to expunge these crimes that our society has borne on the shoulders of communities of color. And as the nation’s second-largest employer, we support expungement to ensure that all capable individuals have a fair opportunity to seek and secure employment wherever they choose. Finally, we support community reinvestment grants, which can have a positive impact in pursuit of social justice.”
In June, the company announced its support of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2021. Dave Clark, CEO of Amazon's worldwide consumer business, said the company would begin to exclude cannabis from its pre-employment drug screening program for positions not regulated by the Department of Transportation.
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While the company has begun to remove pre-employment cannabis screenings, it has also decided to “reinstate employment eligibility of both former employees terminated due to receiving a non-negative Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) result during random drug tests, as well as applicants that were deferred for the same reason during standard pre-employment screenings.”
"We are proud to largely end pre-employment testing of marijuana as a condition of employment,” Huseman said. “And we are enthused by the notable momentum in the country toward recognizing that today’s status quo is unfair and untenable. We are eager to work with you to secure passage of this legislation.”
