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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 932 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 159
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Michael P. Kushmerek
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act prohibiting employment discrimination based on legal use of cannabis.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michael P. Kushmerek3rd Worcester1/14/2025Jacob R. OliveiraHampden, Hampshire and Worcester2/10/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 932 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 159
By Representative Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 159) of
Michael P. Kushmerek and Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to prohibit employment
discrimination based on legal use of cannabis. Cannabis Policy.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act prohibiting employment discrimination based on legal use of cannabis.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 151B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection: --
3 24. The term “safety sensitive position” shall mean a position with duties that, if
4performed while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, could lead to a lapse of attention that
5could cause actual, immediate, and permanent physical injury or loss of life to self or others.
6 SECTION 2. Section 4 of Chapter 151B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
7amended by adding after subsection 19, the following subsections: --
8 20. For an employer or his agent, because of the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol or
9marijuana metabolite in the blood, urine or other body sample provided by the individual, to
10refuse to hire or employ or to bar or to discharge from employment such person or to
11discriminate against such person in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of 2 of 2
12employment, unless reasonable suspicion exists that the employee was impaired by marijuana at
13the employee’s place of employment or during the hours of employment.
14 It shall be a defense to such employment action if the employee, due to the presence of
15tetrahydrocannabinol or marijuana metabolite in the blood, urine or other body sample provided
16by the individual, is unable to maintain licenses, credentials, or other qualifications that are
17reasonably necessary for the performance of the employee’s position, regardless of whether such
18licensing, credentialing, or other qualifications prohibit the employee from using marijuana. This
19section shall not apply to safety sensitive positions or if compliance would cause the employer to
20commit a violation of a federal law, regulation, contract, or funding agreement.