Medical marijuana a focus topic at Benton construction safety conference

BENTON, Ark. – Construction workers and supervisors across Arkansas gathered at a safety conference in Benton to discuss different ways the construction industry is changing, with one change coming from medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Arkansas for eight years, yet it remains a gray area for supervisors on construction sites as they work to ensure their workers aren’t under the influence while on the job.

A breakout session at the conference looked to address that, with someone with First Choice Drug Testing answering questions about what rules can be set on the job regarding medical marijuana and why it is so important to the construction industry.

“Construction is probably one of the most dangerous occupations out there and it changes as the project progresses,” Jeff Olmstead of Kinco Constructors said. “Every day, every hour is changing so you need to be alert.”

The safety conference was held at the Saline County Career Technical Campus.

On Wednesday there will be another part of this safety conference with the focus being on mental health and suicide awareness in the industry.

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