A joint problem : how cannabis testing policies affect applicants’ attraction toward an organization

Abstract

Cannabis use has increased from 14.9% to 16.8% post-legalization. Policies that enable cannabis-testing of employees might negatively affect the perceptions of individuals toward the organizations that hold these policies. I investigated the influence of cannabis testing policy on job applicants’ perceived fairness, organizational attractiveness, and intention to apply to a job. Vignettes followed by a survey were administered to 415 adults recruited via MTurk. MANCOVA revealed that cannabis users displayed greater attractiveness as well as greater intent to apply to the organization that did not have a cannabis-testing policy in place compared to an organization that has a strict cannabis testing policy. Generally, cannabis testing was perceived as fair by individuals. Study has implications such that understanding applicants’ reactions to workplace drug policies is critical for industries when designing cannabis policies. Such policies must comply with legal regulations without deterring potential employees who may be interested in joining the organization.