Illinois is now the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana usage. Starting January 1, 2020, this will be very important to remember.

Starting Jan. 1, 2020, Illinois residents ages 21 and over can legally purchase and possess up to 30 grams of marijuana. Scott Cruz, an employment lawyer who's clocked serious hours sitting in on panels in Springfield discussing how this law will affect both employees and their bosses, according to wgntv.com.

Here's a portion of Scott Cruz's comments that every employee who uses marijuana should know:

“Employees are going to think, ‘Well, now I can go to lunch, have an edible, come back to work. And my employer is not going to be able to do anything about it.

Solving that misconception among employees [will be important]. If we have a 'zero tolerance' policy, it means just that: zero tolerance. And if you are impaired or under the influence, we have the right to terminate you and discipline you. ... I think employees need to understand that.”

Something else to keep in mind; regardless of state law, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level. That is how employers are allowed to ban use among employees.

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