New York Times And Marijuana: Newspaper Continues To Screen New Hires For Pot Despite Being In Favor Of Legalization

When the New York Times published an editorial last weekend in favor of repealing the federal ban on marijuana, advocates of legalization praised the newspaper for its bold stance. “This is of historic consequence -- far bigger than most people assume,” Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, which promotes marijuana legalization, said.

But others have pointed out that the Times isn’t practicing what it preaches. The media giant continues to test job applicants for marijuana, even though several of its writers have discussed their drug use in stories (most notably Maureen Dowd, whose psychedelic experience with cannabis-infused edibles in Colorado made waves in June.)

Now, a Change.org petition has emerged that makes the case for the New York Times Co. (NYSE:NYT) to stop testing its employees for pot and help end "the practice of giving people life-damaging criminal records for marijuana, which can make it difficult to get a job, go to school or in some cases even vote.”

"If the New York Times believes it is wrong to discriminate against people for using marijuana, then they should stop doing so,” Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority, said in an emailed statement to International Business Times.

During an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on Monday, Andy Rosenthal, the Times' editorial page editor, addressed the publicity surrounding his editorial as well as the company’s seemingly hypocritical hiring policies.

"Whether we're going to continue testing for marijuana or not, I don't know,” Rosenthal said. “If they ask me, I'll say stop."

What do you think? Should the New York Times stop testing its employees for pot? Weigh in below.