Illinois Employers, Unions Prep for Legal Marijuana Jan. 1

The legalization of recreational cannabis in Illinois could add side letters and other addenda to existing collective bargaining agreements and lead to union challenges if workers are accused of on-the-job impairment due to marijuana use, employment lawyers and labor leaders said.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) June 25 signed into law HB 1438, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which makes recreational use of marijuana legal in the state on Jan. 1. People 21 or older will be able to purchase up to 30 grams of cannabis for recreational use from licensed dispensaries.

Employers still will be able to ...