Illinois’ new retail marijuana law contains hidden job issues

Employment Law

By Barbara Grandjean, Anne Cartwright and Benjamin Jones

Barbara Grandjean is a partner with Husch Blackwell LLP focusing on labor and employment law. Anne Cartwright is senior counsel with Husch Blackwell LLP focusing on education law. Benjamin Jones is an attorney at Husch Blackwell LLP with an active corporate cannabis law practice.

Posted December 4, 2019 3:18 PM

Updated December 5, 2019 10:13 AM

In less than a month, the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act will come into effect. On Jan. 1, the act will legalize adult-use retail marijuana across the state and bring with it a hefty regulatory framework.As part of that framework, employers — particularly hospitals, academic medical centers and other employers subject to complex, overlapping and sometimes contradictory workplace regulations — will now be prohibited from firing employees for off-duty marijuana use, requiring an overhaul of most …

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