Page 6 - aruba-today-20190413

A6 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 13 april 2019

This May 27, 2008, file photo, shows the gurney in the death
chamber in Huntsville, Texas.
Associated Press
Texas’ high court

keeps execution

drug supplier secret
In this March 29, 2019, file photo, a man smokes marijuana at a Spleef NYC canna-cocktail
party in New York.
Associated Press By PAUL J. WEBER
NYC may ban pre-hire marijuana Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A supplier of Texas’ execution drugs
tests for many job applicants can remain secret under a court ruling Friday that upheld
risks of “physical harm” to the pharmacy, ending what
state officials called a threat to the entire U.S. death pen-
alty system.
By JENNIFER PELTZ mine their own hiring prac- simply stopped marijuana- The decision by the Texas Supreme Court, where Repub-
Associated Press tices — not just in deciding testing applicants . “In this licans hold every seat on the bench, doesn’t change op-
NEW YORK (AP) — Many what skills and experience environment where unem- erations at the nation’s busiest death chamber because
job-seekers would no lon- are relevant to certain po- ployment is pretty low and state lawmakers banned the disclosure of drug suppliers
ger face tests for marijuana sitions, but also whether the where marijuana is be- for executions starting in 2015.
use under legislation that use of a specific drug could coming ever more socially A lawsuit filed a year earlier by condemned Texas inmates
New York City is likely to have an adverse impact on acceptable ... employ- argued that the supplier’s identity was needed to verify
enact, taking a novel step a prospective employee’s ers are either philosophi- the quality of the drugs and spare them from unconstitu-
as lawmakers and employ- ability to perform,” Council cally or practically having tional pain and suffering. Lower courts went on to reject
ers around the U.S. grapple Republican Leader Steven to take a long, hard look Texas’ claims that releasing the name would physically
with workplace policies Matteo said in a statement. at whether they’re even endanger pharmacy employees at the hands of death-
about pot. The Democrat- The measure is awaiting ac- going to screen for pot,” penalty opponents.
led City Council passed tion from Mayor Bill de Bla- said Michael Clarkson, a “The voters of Texas have expressed their judgment that
a measure Tuesday that sio, a Democrat. A spokes- Boston-based employment the death penalty is necessary, and this decision pre-
would ban pre-employ- woman told The New York lawyer who specializes in serves Texas’ ability to carry out executions mandated by
ment testing for the drug, Times that City Hall supports drug-testing issues. Some state law,” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Pax-
with certain exceptions. the legislation; The Associ- officials also have taken a ton said in a statement.
Supporters say the mea- ated Press sent an inquiry look at whether businesses The court deciding that a “substantial” risk of harm exists
sure , which if enacted may Friday seeking to confirm should do so. Washington, appeared to largely hinge on an email sent to an Okla-
be the first of its breadth, the mayor’s position. D.C. prohibits marijuana homa pharmacy in which the sender suggested they en-
would knock down a bar- Drug-testing job applicants testing before a job offer hance security and referenced the bombing of an Okla-
rier that blocks people from became common in the is extended (some states homa City federal building in 1995.
jobs because of private U.S. in the late 1980s, but apply this standard to all “I’m speechless with the absurdity of them relying on that
behavior, not professional marijuana screening is get- drug testing). Lawmakers in singular fact to close, to keep in secret how Texas essen-
ability. And they note that ting some reconsideration Nevada, where recreation- tially carries out its execution,” said Maurie Levin, a de-
marijuana can show up on as the drug has gained al marijuana use is legal, fense attorney who helped bring the original lawsuit.
a drug test days, or some- legal ground. Most states, have been considering a The availability of execution drugs has become an issue in
times longer, after the high including New York, now proposal that would ban many death penalty states after traditional pharmaceuti-
wears off. have legal medicinal mari- companies from disquali- cal makers refused to sell their products to prison agen-
“If you ingest weed in what- juana programs, and 10 fying job candidates for cies for execution use. Similar lawsuits about drug provider
ever manner a month ago, states and the District of testing positive for pot. The identities have been argued in other capital punishment
I’m not sure how that pre- Columbia allow recreation- New York City measure ap- states. Last year, Arizona’s attorney general filed a brief in
vents you from doing your al pot use. New York is con- pears to go further by bar- support of Texas, arguing that disclosing the name of the
job now,” Public Advocate sidering it. ring businesses from making pharmacy would “bring dire consequences that ripple
Jumaane Williams, a Dem- Medical marijuana users applicants take marijuana beyond Texas and threaten the death penalty’s opera-
ocrat who sponsored the in Massachusetts, Con- tests at any point before tion nationwide.”
proposal, told the council. necticut and Rhode Island hiring. There are exceptions Defense attorneys have called it a matter of transparency
But some council members have won lawsuits in recent for police, construction and say Texas’ claims of potential physical harm are over-
and business groups object years against companies workers, commercial driv- blown. Texas Supreme Court Justice Paul Green seemed
to what they see as munici- that rescinded job offers ers, child care workers and to agree in some respects, writing in the court’s opinion
pal meddling with a valid or fired workers because certain others.It doesn’t that a “firestorm” of hate mail and negative media cov-
employment concern. of positive tests for pot. stop employers from testing erage directed at a Texas execution-drug supplier in 2013
“Private businesses should A number of businesses current workers, or from fir- did not amount to a risk of substantial harm as the state
have the power to deter- around the country have ing them if they fail.q suggested.q