Why it matters: The federal government is relaxing its drug screening rules to attract younger workers who have grown up with a different understanding of cannabis and are more likely to support its legalization.
What they are saying: More than half of Americans enjoy cannabis, and a majority believe it should be legal. Medical cannabis use is legal in 38 states and recreational weed is allowed in 22 states, yet it remains illegal under federal law.
The big picture: The federal government is scaling back policies regarding any past cannabis use, specifically for security clearance vetting and military recruitment.
What to watch: As the feds compete with the private sector in the post-COVID job market, it remains to be seen if they will continue to relax their drug screening rules.
My take: It’s about time the federal government caught up to the times and recognized the absurdity of its stringent drug screening rules. However, it’s still disappointing that cannabis remains illegal under federal law, despite its legalization in many states. The government should fully legalize and regulate cannabis, allowing for safe and legal use for everyone.
