Michigan senator’s DOOBIE Act passes committee

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A bill drafted by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) to codify employment rights of those with past marijuana use has passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

It now moves to the full Senate floor for consideration.

The DOOBIE Act (Dismantling Outdated Obstacles and Barriers to Individual Employment Act) was introduced in July, and would make it illegal for individuals to be denied federal employment or security clearances solely based on past recreational or medical marijuana use.

Current legislation allows federal employment and security clearances to be denied for marijuana use regardless of how the state an applicant lives in regulates the substance. 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized both medical and recreational use, and an additional state permits it for medical use.

Michigan legalized medicinal use in 2008 under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act and recreational use in 2018 under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act .

“The federal government must adapt its hiring practices to reflect the evolving legal and social landscape of our nation,” said Senator Peters. “My bill takes a crucial step by aligning federal policy with existing agency guidance, ensuring that past marijuana use alone doesn’t automatically disqualify talented individuals from public service. This approach will expand our talent pool and create a fairer, more inclusive hiring process.”

The DOOBIE Act has a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives—the Cannabis Users Restoration of Eligibility Act.

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