Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order July 14 to protect some employees’ off-duty cannabis use.
Under the order, state agencies that regulate professional licenses must now protect an individual’s right to use cannabis without workplace sanctions, according to a Westword report.
The order protects individuals who consume, possess, grow or process cannabis in accordance with Colorado law from professional sanctions or professional license revocation, the news outlet reported, including those who participate in cannabis-related activities in other states that would also be legal in Colorado.
Polis’ order directs the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Department of Revenue (DOR) not to cooperate with out-of-state investigations “related to disciplinary action against a professional license, certification, or credential for marijuana-related actions” that are lawful in the state, Westword reported.
The departments, which issue professional licenses for health care, trade practices, cosmetology, engineering, real estate and more, now have 90 days to establish and implement new policies to adhere to Polis’ order, according to the news outlet.
Earlier this year, Colorado lawmakers considered legislation that would have prohibited employers from firing employees for cannabis use, as well as require employers to let their workers consumer medical cannabis on the job.
That legislation, House Bill 1152, ultimately stalled in committee.
