By Rodd Cayton, City Desk ABQ
Bernalillo County firefighters could be brought under new rules that permit off-duty cannabis use, though there’s a small chance it could put the county’s ambulance license at risk and cost $900,000 a year in ambulance revenue.
On the agenda for Tuesday’s County Commission meeting is a change to the memorandum of agreement between the county and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 244 County Chapter to reflect changes in the county’s drug-free workplace policy.
Commissioners in November voted to treat employees’ cannabis use the same as alcohol use, meaning some workers would be allowed to use cannabis off duty. Firefighters will continue to undergo random drug testing, but cannabis will not be included among substances tracked.
Ashley Quintana of the county’s human resources department wrote that adopting the change may result in the New Mexico Department of Transportation determining that Bernalillo County Fire ambulances violate random testing rules for motor carriers. That could lead to the loss of the fire department’s motor carrier license under NMDOT, which may mean missing out on close to $1 million a year.
“Given the NMDOT’s ambiguity on this issue, there is some risk,” the agenda states. “However, the risk is relatively low, and therefore, staff is recommending approval.”
Any employee involved in an accident would still be subject to a drug test, including for marijuana intoxication.
A required test could also be taken if a supervisor has reasonable suspicion that an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including cannabinoids.
The policy’s prohibition on employees performing their jobs while under the influence will remain in place, as will a ban on using any unauthorized substance in the workplace.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
WHEN: 5 p.m. Date
WHERE: Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers in BernalilloCounty@Alvarado Square, 415 Silver Ave SW VIRTUAL: GOV-TV, on the county’s website or on Bernalillo County’s YouTube channel