Buckeye Reporter

Ohio employers are legally required to ensure workplace safety, a commitment that is reflected in the state's declining workers' compensation rates. However, the potential legalization of marijuana through Ohio's Issue 2 poses new challenges for maintaining safe work environments.

Issue 2 proposes legalizing marijuana and THC for adult recreational use in Ohio. Pat Tiberi, President and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable, expressed concerns about the implications of this measure on workplace safety. He stated, "Legalization creates a certainty that Ohio will see a significant uptick in workers who are high at work from marijuana consumption."

Tiberi highlighted the difficulty employers face in identifying impairment due to marijuana use. While some individuals may exhibit clear signs of being under the influence, others may not show any outward symptoms despite experiencing impairments such as loss of mental acuity and impaired judgment. This poses risks not only to the users but also to their coworkers.

The core issue lies in the lack of real-time testing methods for determining marijuana impairment. Current urine tests can detect marijuana presence but cannot confirm impairment levels since traces can remain in the system long after its effects have worn off.

Tiberi referenced a study indicating that individuals who test positive for marijuana experience significantly higher rates of industrial accidents, injuries, and absenteeism compared to those who test negative.

The conflict between state-sanctioned marijuana use and employers' obligations to maintain safe workplaces could lead to extensive litigation involving various stakeholders including workers, unions, growers, and sellers. Tiberi warned that these legal battles could create substantial liability and insurance challenges, potentially impacting Ohio's economy negatively.

"Marijuana today is NOT the benign substance many adults remember from their younger years," Tiberi remarked. He urged voters to consider these consequences and suggested that "a NO vote on Issue 2 is best for our employers, workers, worker families, and our overall economy."

Pat Tiberi's position reflects his role with the Ohio Business Roundtable—a group composed of CEOs advocating for economic competitiveness within the state.