season. “The (federal) departments of transportation, defense, and energy drug-testing programs still require that we prohibit marijuana,” Kimberley said.“We work in a high-risk industry, and it’s not safe to use drugs, including marijuana. That’s it in a nutshell.” John Huntley, owner and chief executive officer of Mills Electric Company, said the state doesn’t have a clue yet about how details of the law will ultimately take shape. “There are so many unknowns associated with it,” he said. “In reality, you’re basically where you were before. We have a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. It’s not going to change.” Mills Electric Company in Bellingham engages in industrial and commercial work, and employs 200. What if some of those employees were to light up weed on a smoke break at work? “If they do, they won’t be there long,” Huntley said.
He explained that Mills Electric currently does new-hire drug testing, as well as random and testing for cause, and that won’t change. On a prominent national level, the National Football League and the National Basketball
“We work in a high-risk industry, and it’s not safe to use drugs, including marijuana. That’s it in a nutshell.” Ashley Kimberley, spokesperson, IMCO General Construction
Association have issued statements that marijuana consumption is a violation of their conduct policy, and they will continue testing. This year, until licenses are created and issued, it remains illegal
under state law to grow, process, or sell non-medical marijuana. Smoking a small amount in private is the only activity currently legal, even as all routes to obtaining it are still illegal. Washington’s and Colorado’s marijuana initiatives conflict with federal law. The federal Justice Department hasn’t said whether it will sue to block the new state laws. Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson met in January with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, but did not gain any more information on how the federal government will respond to Washington’s Initiative 502. Sharon Foster, chair of WSLCB, has said the board is considering adding the word “cannabis” to its name. Attendees at WSLCB public forums offered various advice. One urged the state board to establish enough controls and testing so the
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