Pubdate: Thu, 17 Apr 2014
Source: Herald, The (Everett, WA)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.heraldnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/190

POT COMPANY BANS DRUG USE

DENVER (AP) - Workers for one of Colorado's biggest marijuana 
businesses learned Wednesday they can be fired for smoking pot on the 
job or using cocaine any time.

The policy, the first of its kind for O.penVAPE, includes random 
testing for drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines, but not for 
marijuana, company spokesman Todd Mitchem said. The two-year-old 
company employs more than 125 people in Colorado and sells its 
products in Colorado, Washington and California. The products include 
cartridges filled with cannabis oil and a battery-powered vaporizer 
that resembles a pen designed for cannabis-oil use.

Colorado has legalized the sale and use of marijuana. But under 
federal law it is illegal and deemed dangerous, like cocaine. Mitchem 
said O.penVAPE sees a distinction between cannabis and other drugs, 
and enacted its policy after hearing what it believes are indications 
the federal government is open to changing rules that lump marijuana 
with LSD and heroin in terms of the seriousness of offenses 
associated with its use.

O.penVAPE had safety in mind, Mitchem said. Having a workplace drug 
policy reflects O.penVAPE's sense of itself as an industry leader and 
a growing company just like any other, he said.

"If we want credibility, we have to act like grown-ups," Mitchem said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom