Amazon Makes A ‘Highly’ Unusual Decision Regarding Its Hiring Requirements

Amazon (AMZN) is adjusting its hiring policies in what may be considered a controversial move by changing its drug screening process.

As states across the U.S. make marijuana use legal, Amazon is updating its drug testing requirements for some job positions, where it previously disqualified people from employment if they tested positive for cannabis use.

But now, the e-commerce giant will allow marijuana-positive drug testing for jobs that are not regulated by the Department of Transportation, treating it the same as alcohol-positive tests. But Amazon said it will continue to drug and alcohol test after an incident on the job.

A total of 17 states have legalized recreational marijuana use, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Amazon said that the move is part of a larger initiative, where its public policy team will be supporting The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021. The MORE Act looks to legalize cannabis at the federal level and expunge criminal records while investing in impacted communities.

Dave Clark, CEO, Worldwide Consumer at Amazon, said in a statement, “ We hope that other employers will join us, and that policymakers will act swiftly to pass this law.”

The drug testing policy change comes as Amazon was sued with a proposed class-action lawsuit, claiming that it violated New York City laws by testing job applicants for marijuana, Westlaw reported.

New York City law exempts marijuana testing for certain jobs that don’t require operating machinery or heavy equipment, which the lead plaintiff in the suit contended the one he applied for did not require, the news outlet said.

The plaintiff is seeking back pay and punitive damages, Westlaw said.

Shares of Amazon were trading at $3,219.33 as 10:54 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, up 68 cents, or 0.02%.