Mahoning Valley Safety Council: High Standards - Marijuana, Safety and Workplace Responsibility with Ruth Bowdish

Mahoning Valley Safety Council:

High Standards: Marijuana, Safety and Workplace Responsibility

Presentation Description

This presentation examines the evolving landscape of marijuana legalization and federal rescheduling through the lens of workplace safety and drug testing compliance. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what has changed, what has not, and why regulatory alignment matters—particularly in safety-sensitive industries. The session emphasizes the real-world implications for employers, supervisors, and public safety, and provides practical guidance for maintaining effective drug-free workplace programs during a period of regulatory uncertainty.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the difference between marijuana legalization, federal rescheduling, and workplace drug testing requirements, including why these distinctions matter for safety-sensitive roles.
2. Identify the risks associated with marijuana impairment and the limitations of current testing methods, and understand the role of policy and reasonable suspicion in addressing those risks.
3. Apply practical strategies to strengthen drug-free workplace policies and supervisor training in order to protect employee safety and organizational compliance amid potential regulatory changes.

About Ruth:

Ruth Bowdish, MS, LICDC, CEAP, SAP, is a licensed chemical dependency counselor with more than 20 years of experience in workplace substance use, drug testing, and recovery support. She is the State of Ohio Affiliate for the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) and serves on its Board of Directors. Ruth is also a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), working directly with employers to navigate drug testing, marijuana legalization, compliance, and workforce safety. She serves as a subject matter expert for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Drug-Free Safety Program, bringing real-world insight from both the clinical and employer perspectives.