CO Attorney General’s Office Prohibits Employees from Using Marijuana

Despite marijuana having been legal for several years in Colorado, it’s Attorney General has banned the office’s employees from partaking. A revision to the Attorney General’s office was effective April 16, although it was not distributed to staff until April 19. Anyone who violates the new policy, regardless if it’s on their own personal time or not, will likely face termination.

The new policy indicates that medical marijuana is not considered a prescription drug, so office staff can’t even use medical marijuana, Westword reports. The Colorado Attorney General’s office is following the rule of both the Federal and Colorado Controlled Substances Acts. Federal law is, yet again, taking priority over state law.

Spokeswoman for the AG’s office, Annie Skinner, said, “Our updated policy is consistent with the Universal State Personnel System Policy for Drug and Alcohol for State Employees. Our office has both classified and non-classified staff and the update to our policy ensures that all employees are being held to the same standards that the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration are holding all state classified staff to.”

The revised policy goes on to indicate that staff may not work in any aspect of the marijuana industry or partake in activities that have anything to do with marijuana.

The policy explicitly states that it also applies to off-duty personal time. Employees are also not permitted to decline a drug/alcohol test as it could result in termination.