Whist supporters of dagga legalization continue to argue that tax income and job creation can be expected by South Africans, reports from Colorado and other states in the USA paint a very different picture. Whilst these states may have legalized cannabis, it remains illegal under federal law. What this means is that whilst users of cannabis are free to smoke the drug, employers are allowed to screen job applicants and refuse to hire them if they test positive for dagga or any other drugs.
An analysis of about 10 million workplace drug screens from across the United States found positive results from urine samples increased from 4 percent in 2015 to 4.2 percent in 2016. The most significant increase was in positive tests for dagga. Colorado and Washington, who legalized dagga in 2012, saw an increase in urine screens that tested positive for dagga of 11% and 9% respectively.
A Human Resources manager is quoted as saying that she noted a “big spike” in those who applied for jobs, but tested positive for dagga, once the drug was legalized. By 2016, Colorado had 440 recreational cannabis stores and 531 “medical” dispensaries. A total of almost 1000 outlets where dagga is available to the public! A business in Colorado that employs forklift drivers to work in their warehouse, stated that 90% of those applying for jobs tested positive for drugs and had to be turned down. They state that they are in fact struggling to find people to fill vacancies, yet at the same time, Colorado’s unemployment rate has started to climb. Companies where employees operate heavy machinery test for dagga regularly for safety reasons.
Truck and school bus drivers must test negative for dagga before being employed and The Department of Transportation says that they do not recognize “medical dagga” as a “valid medical explanation” for failing a drug test. With unemployment higher than ever before in South Africa, these first-world examples make it clear that legalizing dagga would result further job losses and a reduction in the number of job seekers entering the workforce.
