New Jersey State Drug Testing Laws

Last Update on April 26, 2023

Workplace Drug Testing Issues – New Jersey State Laws

These categories do not effect DOT-regulated drug testing. Government employers should always call for potential additional restrictions on employee drug testing.

Important to review the New Jersey marijuana laws.

New Jersey employers should only conduct post-accident drug testing only when they believe the individual caused or contributed to the accident.

March 2019 – a disabled employee may sue his former employer under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“NJLAD”) for alleged discrimination based on the employee’s use of medical marijuana. Wild v. Carriage Funeral Holdings, Inc., et al., Docket No. A-3072-17T3 (N.J. App. Div. Mar. 27, 2019).

Marijuana is legal in New Jersey. The laws in New Jersey favor employees and not employers. Employer drug testing for marijuana in New Jersey is a complex issue.

Drug Testing Issue	Status	Comments
Instant or POCT Testing	Restricted	Testing location may need to be licensed through the state as a laboratory. Both Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp perform instant testing at their drug testing centers.
Drug Panels	No Restrictions
Laboratory	License Required	SAMHSA certification recommended
Medical Review Officer	Not Required	Highly recommended
Random Testing	Restricted	Safety sensitive employees when a legitimate business necessity exists.
Post-Accident	Limited	Drug testing policies should limit post-incident testing to situations in which there is reasonable suspicion of employee drug or alcohol use.
Reasonable Suspicion	Permitted	Document reasonable suspicion
Oral Fluids	No Restrictions
Hair Testing	No Restrictions
Unemployment Denial	Yes	Must have a DFW policy
Workers Comp Discount	No
Intoxication Defense	Yes	The defense of willful misconduct or negligence.
Medical Marijuana	Yes	Use caution testing for marijuana
Recreational Marijuana	Yes	User caution testing for marijuana
Report Driver DOT Positives	No	Use FMCSA Clearinghouse
General Statute	--	Other them marijuana concerns not general drug testing laws in New Jersey.

Based on case law, a comprehensive written drug-free workplace policy is critically important.

New Jersey has legal medical and recreational marijuana laws.

Critical in New Jersey to review the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act – CREAMMA.

Intoxication Defense – Denial of Workers Compensation Claim – The proof necessary to establish that the intoxication is the sole and proximate cause of the injury makes the defense extremely somewhat hard to establish. The same standard applies to alcohol intoxication and/or illegal drug use. What is important is that everything is documented including witness statements.

This chart is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for legal guidance. State and local law vary greatly; therefore, you are advised to consult experienced legal counsel during the development or edit of your actual substance abuse testing program and with any questions that follow.

State Law New Jersey

Drug Testing in New Jersey

Testing locations are available in all areas. For immediate service for employers or individuals call 866-843-4545 or Order Now.

Marijuana Laws for New Jersey

Marijuana considerations are important and marijuana laws often update often, check out Marijuana in the Workplace.

New Jersey State Drug Testing Laws

Workplace Drug Testing Issues – New Jersey State Laws

Drug Testing in New Jersey

Marijuana Laws for New Jersey

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