Austin leaders are considering whether city employees should be allowed to use low-THC medical marijuana.
According to a memo dated March 25, the conversation started after House Bill 1535 became a Texas law on Sept. 1, 2021. HB 1535 adds all forms of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of qualifying conditions and doubles the amount of THC allowed in marijuana products from half a percent to 1%. On Sept. 19, 2021, the Public Safety Committee had a briefing on the law as well as the City of Austin's drug testing policies related to marijuana.
In the memo sent to Mayor Steve Adler and the Austin City Council members, the assistant city manager said, "research indicates federal law and regulations effectively prohibit certain job functions from using any form of cannabis that remains illegal under federal law."
