New Colorado Bill Protects People From Being Fired for Off-Duty Marijuana Use

Colorado House Bill 20-1089 seeks to prevent employers from firing employees for off-duty marijuana use. A law is already in place preventing firing employees for off-duty alcohol use. If passed, employees could have open conversations at work about using marijuana without the fear of termination.

Controversy occurred in 2015 when the Colorado Supreme Court indicated that employers could fire employees for positive THC tests because marijuana is still illegal federally, KRDO 13 News reported.

There may be some exceptions in this law that would not apply to all professions, such as federal jobs and jobs requiring certain safety practices.

The bill is awaiting discussion and a vote with the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee.