Pot still illegal for government workers

Smoking marijuana is still illegal for federal employees, even those who reside in states and cities that have approved the drug for use by the general public, the Obama administration said Wednesday.

The federal government’s prohibition on marijuana has increasingly come in conflict with a number of states.

{mosads}“These changes to state law have raised questions about whether federal employees in these jurisdictions may use marijuana as provided for in state law,” Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta wrote in a memo to federal agencies.

“Federal law on marijuana remains unchanged,” she added. “Marijuana is categorized as a controlled substance. …Thus, knowing or intentional marijuana possession is illegal, even if an individual has no intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana.”

Recreational marijuana was also legalized earlier this year in Washington, D.C., but federal workers in the nation’s capital will still be prohibited from smoking pot.

Archuleta sent the memo to the heads of federal agencies, who are responsible for enforcing drug laws among their staffs.

“Heads of agencies are expected to advise their workforce that legislative changes by some states and the District of Columbia do not alter Federal law, existing suitability criteria, or executive branch policies regarding marijuana,” Archuleta said.

This policy affects more than 4 million federal workers.