Amazon Can Test NYC Warehouse Workers for Marijuana Usage

Amazon.com Inc. won dismissal of a proposed class lawsuit under New York City’s law barring employers from testing most workers for marijuana, after a federal judge found “sortation associate” jobs present a safety risk and are exempt from the prohibition.

Michael Thomas sued Amazon in March 2021 after his offer to work at the company’s Staten Island warehouse was pulled when he tested positive for marijuana during pre-employment drug screening. Verniece Carmona and Romelo Rivera later joined Thomas as named plaintiffs in the case. Like Thomas, Carmona had her job offer pulled following a positive test. Rivera, a former Amazon ...