The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauds the California State Senate’s passage of AB 2188 (Quirk), which would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees who use cannabis off the job and away from the worksite by using out-dated urine testing methods.

“California has always led the nation in cannabis industry policies, and with AB 2188, we have the opportunity to lead once again by prohibiting discrimination against workers who legally consume cannabis when they are off the job,” said Matt Bell, Secretary-Treasurer, UFCW Local 324. “Using outdated cannabis tests only causes employees to feel unsafe and harassed at work, it does not increase workplace safety. UFCW members are proud to support AB 2188 because it’s about time that the law kept up with science.”

“AB 2188 will not only have a significant impact on protecting workers from discrimination on the basis of their past cannabis use but will start to turn the tide toward far more accurate, modern-day cannabis testing to detect recent use,” said Jenny Phan, an employee at cannabis dispensary MedMen Long Beach, and a member of UFCW Local 324. “Specifically, this bill addresses the flaws in employers’ use of cannabis testing methods, like urine tests, to discriminate against workers’ employment and rights. Using oral swab tests are not only more accurate at detecting recent use, but a step toward ending the stigma of cannabis use. I’m proud my union is sponsoring this important bill.”