Story Pitch

Story: As Washington state blazes through uncharted territory with the ongoing implementation of the burgeoning I-502 marketplace, several state institutions and businesses will have to decide whether to change their existing employment drug policies. Certain public service organizations with previously staunch prohibitions on employee marijuana use will potentially allow recreational marijuana users to serve in their ranks.

Evidence: Locally, Police Chief Gary Jenkins indicated that recreational marijuana users would not necessarily be excluded from serving in Pullman’s law enforcement.

Interviews: Local police (interviewed) and fire; Seattle police and fire; State Patrol, State Police Association, Olympia Legislative Staff

Why Now: The ongoing chaotic implementation of a state-wide legal marijuana business.

Outline: Compare different public service state institutions and their evolving employment policies towards recreational marijuana.