5 more states approve the recreational use of marijuana.

by | Nov 20, 2020 | Uncategorized

Five more states approve the recreational use of marijuana.

 

As part of the 2020 election five more states, New Jersey, Vermont, Arizona, Montana and South Dakota approved the recreational use of Marijuana.

These states now join a growing list of states where Marijuana is legal for recreational use:

  • Colorado

  • Massachusetts

  • Alaska

  • District of Columbia

  • Oregon

  • Washington

  • California

  • Maine

  • Nevada

  • Michigan

  • Illinois

In light of the changing legal landscape regarding allowances in drug usage, we have begun to see the advent of 4- panel and 9- panel screens which do not test for cannabinoids (marijuana) as the earlier, traditional 5- panel and 10- panel screens have. See the table below for the typical 5, 4, 10 and 9 panel tests: 

Screen/Test

Drugs Tested
5 Panel Amphetamines; Cocaine; Cannabinoids; Opiates; Phencyclidine
4 Panel Amphetamines; Cocaine; Opiates; Phencyclidine
10 Panel Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Cannabinoids; Methadone; Methaqualone; Opiates; Phencyclidine; Propoxyphene
9 Panel Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Methadone; Methaqualone; Opiates; Phencyclidine; Propoxyphene

 

Illinois legalizes Marijuana for Recreational Use

by | Jul 5, 2019 | Uncategorized

-Illinois becomes the 11th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

 

Recently, Illinois became the 11th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

The bill,  HB1438, was recently signed by Illinois’ governor  and will go into effect on 1-1-2020.

The text of the bill can be viewed here: ==> http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/101/HB/PDF/10100HB1438enr.pdf 

In addition to legalizing marijuana for recreational use, there is also a provision  that means nearly 800,000 people with criminal records for purchasing or possessing 30 grams of marijuana or less may have those records expunged.

In light of the changing legal landscape regarding allowances in drug usage, we have begun to see the advent of 4- panel and 9- panel screens which do not test for cannabinoids (marijuana) as the earlier, traditional 5- panel and 10- panel screens have. See the table below for the typical 5, 4, 10 and 9 panel tests: 

Screen/Test

Drugs Tested
5 Panel Amphetamines; Cocaine; Cannabinoids; Opiates; Phencyclidine
4 Panel Amphetamines; Cocaine; Opiates; Phencyclidine
10 Panel Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Cannabinoids; Methadone; Methaqualone; Opiates; Phencyclidine; Propoxyphene
9 Panel Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Methadone; Methaqualone; Opiates; Phencyclidine; Propoxyphene

Whether your company uses the traditional 5- or 10-panel drug screens, or the updated 4- or 9-panel drug screens, you will want to discuss this with your drug screening specialists who can answer all your questions, and help empower you with the tools you will need to make the best decisions for your company, its employees, and your future success.

 

State of NY increases the cost of statewide criminal records search.

by | Apr 16, 2019 | Regulatory, Uncategorized

State of NY increases the cost of statewide criminal records search.

What happened?

As part of the recently passed NY state budget the New York State Office of Court Administration has  increased the state imposed fee for a statewide criminal record search from $65 to $95.  This fee also impacts county criminal record searches in the following counties:
Allegany, Bronx, Cayuga, Fulton, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, New York, Orleans, Queens and Richmond.
(These are counties that can only be searched via the statewide record search.)

Why the increase?

NY, which already imposed the highest access fee in the country,  increased the cost to help fund the NY State indigent defense fund.

How will this impact me?

If you order a statewide NY criminal record search or order a background check that includes a county criminal record search in one of the impacted counties you could be subject to this access fee.

 

Our Policy.

Our policy at AmeriWide Screeners is to obtain client approval before dispatching a search to one of the affected jurisdictions.  If we see that you order a background check that would result in you being charged with the access fee we will reach out to you for approval prior to conducting the search.

A one minute guide to MVRs.

by | Mar 11, 2019 | Uncategorized

A One Minute guide to MVRs.

What is an MVR?

An MVR is short for Motor Vehicle Records or Motor Vehicle Report.  An MVR is a report of person’s driving history, as reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles.  Information included in a typical MVR report can include driver’s license information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record. Some states include additional information, such as Name, Date of Birth, Height, and Weight.

Why Run an MVR?

If you have an employee or applicant  who will be driving a company issued vehicle and/or will be on your company’s insurance policy, you want — and, need —  to know if they are a safe and responsible driver. A review of an applicant’s driving records will show whether they have been involved in risky behavior like excessive speed, or illegal acts, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  It will also let you see any restrictions on an applicant’s license. If you are working in a Department of Transportation (DOT) regulated industry, you are required to review the MVRs of your drivers every 12 months.

How quickly can I get an MVR?

In most cases, turnaround time for MVRs is nearly instantaneous.  However, since this is regulated by the State in the US, or Province in Canada, each jurisdiction’s rules and regulations have a great impact on this.

What to learn more about MVRs?

We would be happy to discuss the right MVR plan for your company’s needs with you.  Give us a call, or drop us a line!

1-888-346-1041 OR info@AWScreeners.com

Drug Screening in the era of Legalized Marijuana.

by | Jan 7, 2019 | Uncategorized

Drug Screening in the era of Legalized Marijuana.

 

As more and more states make marijuana usage legal, many private sector employers are readjusting their approach to drug screening.

The following states now allow for the legal usage of marijuana for recreational purposes:
Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, as well as, the District of Columbia and the Northern Mariana Islands. Many other states allow for the usage for marijuana for medical purposes. However, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.

This has lead many private sector employers to reevaluate their drug testing programs as it relates to marijuana. If you are an employer who’s drug testing is regulated by the federal government, such as the Department of Transportation, then you still must test for marijuana. However, if you are not regulated in such a manner, you have broader latitude in determining which drugs you test for.

In light of these new progressions and allowances in drug usage, we have begun to see the advent of 4- panel and 9- panel screens which do not test for cannabinoids (marijuana) as their earlier, traditional 5- panel and 10- panel screens have. See the table below for the typical 5, 4, 10 and 9 panel tests:

 

Screen/Test

Drugs Tested
5 Panel Amphetamines; Cocaine; Cannabinoids; Opiates; Phencyclidine
4 Panel Amphetamines; Cocaine; Opiates; Phencyclidine
10 Panel Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Cannabinoids; Methadone; Methaqualone; Opiates; Phencyclidine; Propoxyphene
9 Panel Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Cocaine; Methadone; Methaqualone; Opiates; Phencyclidine; Propoxyphene

Whether your company uses the traditional 5 or 10 panel drug screens, or the updated 4 or 9 panel drug screens, you will want to discuss this with your drug screening specialists who can answer all your questions, and help empower you with the tools you will need to make the best decisions for your company, its employees, and your future success.

 

What are Pre-Adverse Action and Adverse Action Notices

by | Jul 23, 2018 | Uncategorized

What are Pre-Adverse Action and Adverse Action Notices?

“Our company has decided against hiring a candidate based on information found in his background check. What are our options, and what are the next steps we must take in order to remain FCRA compliant?”

Pre-Adverse Action and Adverse Action letters are notices mandated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act that inform an applicant they are being denied employment, insurance, or credit based on information reported in a background or credit check.

A Pre-Adverse Action Notice must be given to the applicant before making a final decision about the applicant’s hiring status. Included in the notice should be a “consumer copy” of the background check and a notification of the applicant’s rights under the FCRA. These notices are also provided, by mandate, to the applicant when they agreed to the background screening.

An Adverse Action Notice is given to the applicant after the employer has made its final decision. The employer must provide a “reasonable” amount of time between sending the Pre-Adverse Action Notice and the Adverse Action Notice. This is typically 5 to 10 business days.