Issue #10 by Mingle702

July 3, 2017 ISSUE 9 | JUNE 2017

christina sanford, an enlightened entrepreneur PAGE 8

Job Fair Guru, LaToya Laymon page 12

www.mingle702.com

ISSUE 10 | JULY 2017

Martini Monday MIXER July 24th 6-9pm

Libre Mexican Cantina Red Rock Resort

PUBLISHER'S NOTES CONNECTING + FOLLOW-UP = SUCCESS

Entrepreneurship is a path that requires commitment, leadership skills, discipline, patience, passion for your work, and time. In a nutshell, it a transformative process for personal growth. Two of our featured entrepreneurs talk about failure in business in this issue. Christina Sanford reveals her personal journey of recovery after losing her business 5 years ago and James Hsu experience significant disappointment after deciding to be and entrepreneur. But both are well on their way to success 2.0. I hope you are encouraged by their stories. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.â&#x20AC;? - Winston Churchill.

mingle 702 Issue 9 JULY 3, 2017

Contributors Grant Anderson, Verner Dixon, James McGuire, Nicole Purdy, Ronnie Roll, Shan-nel Simmons, Ruth Veloria Publisher Cynthia Spirlin, J.D. Marketing & PR Heavenor Hemmans info@mingle702magazine.com Advertising Mary Belin info@mingle702magazine.com

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Mingl2 702 magazine is publised bi-weekly. Reproduction of any portion of Mingle 702 is prohibited without prior written authorization from the publisher. Mingle 702 is not responible for the views expressed by contributing writers. Mingle 702 assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions appearing herein. All Rights Reserved. Mingle 702 does not make any financial, medical or legal representations, expressed or implied, in respect to the accuracy of the material in this magazine and cannot accept legal resposibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may be made. The reader should make his or her own evaluation, perform due diligence and ge

MINGLE 702 MAGAZINE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

11 Entrepreneur of the Week, LaToya Lamon, Owner of YAH! You Are Hired Job Fairs

06 BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Mobilizing People by James Hsu is perfect for entrepreneurs and career professionals, who want to get ahead and stay ahead.

19 RedFlint offers the necessary business resources to aid innovation at every level, from Fortune 500s to startups.

03 06 08 11 12 13

Publisher's Note Meet James Hsu Cover Story "E" of the Week Editor's Choice Networker of the Week

14 15 16 17 18 19

Attraction Marketing Save The Date What is Block Chain? Edward Southwick Spark Innovation RedFlint

20 21 22 24

Ronnie Roll Meditation Monday Legal Expert Subscribe Today!

22 Currently Nevada law is undeveloped as to whether you can prohibit your employees from using marijuana outside of the workplace.

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BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

JAMES HSU MASTER MOBILIZER Discover the foundational key to your success by “Mobilizing People" Anyone can have 1,000 Facebook friends. But how many of these people would show up in person if you extended an invitation? How many of them would attend a dinner party? A networking event? Or a political rally? If you're like most people, you have a handful of close friends and large network of "acquaintances" that may or may not return your phone calls or respond to your invitations. Known as "Hsuperman" (a play on his last name, "Hsu" and the word "Superman"), James Hsu is a one-man crowd-maker. With just his iPhone and the vast number of people he has met and befriended over the years, James has conjured flash crowds on short notices. • Sold out an entire movie theater with 3,300 people in attendance in one night • Sold out a Las Vegas comedy club • Sold out three ballrooms at a major Las Vegas Casino (Planet Hollywood) for a local talent show Hundreds, often thousands of people turn out when James extends an invitation - often just a text message or an email. James is the founder and President of MPMVSM, LLC, a marketing company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a passionate motivational speaker for over 10 years who has spoken at over 2,500 events all over the nation. He has influenced hundreds of thousands of people to change and become individuals who make a meaningful contribution to society. Through his past struggles in dealing with losses of loved ones, failure of his business, and powering through those tribulations to finally achieving the level of success he has always desired, he has been able to effectively turn these experiences into stories encouraging people to press on and do whatever it takes to accomplish their dreams and purpose in life. James turned this unique and result-driven method into something he calls, “Mobilizing People.” This is a method that provides all the necessary tools to transform people’s lives forever. It challenges individuals to examine what they want out of life and what their goals are, gives a detailed plan and strategies on how to achieve these goals, and will get people motivated to TAKE ACTION NOW! He has been invited to share this method at a number of prestigious Universities such as Carnegie Melon University, University of Seattle Washington, and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

He also had the honor of speaking for the Nevada Army National Guard. James is also an active member and speaker for the American Marketing Association (AMA) and an official sponsor of the Las Vegas Chapter for AMA. James has successfully built large networks of people who attend his meetings and events. By using the techniques and strategies found in this book, people are able to: • Double or triple the attendance at your events or parties • Groom more acquaintances into friends • Groom networking contacts into customers or referral sources Have you ever noticed that some people just seem to know everyone? As a result, they never wait in line at popular nightclubs and they jump the cue at busy restaurants. They never have to beg for their next job, or promotion. This is the power of Mobilizing People. {Available on Amazon.com}

GET TO KNOW JAMES HSU FIVE QUESTIONS, FIVE ANSWERS

Q1: You're a new addition to the crayon box, what color are you? A: Red and Yellow because they are Superman's colors.

Q5: So you have any pets? A: A yorkie named Theodore Chau Hsu

Q2: You won $10 Million Dollars, what would you do? A: I would invest $5 Million, and launch my dream business.

Finally, James, tell me about your business, MPM VSM.

Q3: What are the top 3 tunes on your phone? A: Rather than listening to music, I prefer to stay focused on business by listening to podcasts. With one exception: Catching On by Elephante (https://youtu.be/dfO4aOcf4F8) Q4: What inspires you? A: Travel

Our Las Vegas video production Mobilizing People Marketing (MPM) is a leading Video Social Marketing (VSM) Company that specializes in creating Shareable Social Media content for our clients. Whether it's video production, video for your website, brand video for your company, video for internet / online marketing, or viral YouTube videos, we help increase your overall online presence.Contact us today to harness the power of our video social marketing services.

Cover Story

Getting Back Up: Rewriting Your Story After Failure by Christina Sanford, LCSW I always had something to fall back on. Someone to bail me out. Someone to rescue me. From my mom paying the credit card bills I ran up in college to my husband depositing money into my overdrawn accounts, I always had a fixer. None of my fixers looked anything like Olivia Pope, but they fixed everything that was wrong with, well, with my circumstances. Not this time, though. This time was different. It was 2012. I was riding on top of the world: a milliondollar nonprofit organization that I built helping children and families, a phenomenal dream team of brilliant, passionate clinicians and other helping professionals, an executive assistant most leaders would kill for, a beautiful 5,000 square foot home with a guest house, a couple of very expensive SUV's, and all the freedom and flexibility I could dream of. I had begun to equate my success with my identity. My gifts had opened doors for me. I was at the pinnacle of my career - more financially prosperous than I had ever been in my life. Nobody could stop me. And then, amid chasing the next big thing, I lost it all. Enter, Mr. Billionaire Donor. He was everything I prayed for. He was all I needed make my dream of opening a home for teen sex trafficking victims a reality. He could help me prove to everyone I could do what had never been done before. I could do what seemed impossible. He was shrewd, slightly condescending, aloof, mean even, but he promised to fund one of the most incredible projects ever attempted in the valley. He bought us a gorgeous million-dollar property. “The property” was a three-acre palm-tree speckled gated estate touting 5 beautiful buildings, a fresh water pool, a full-sized tennis court, and an expanse of lush, dark, rich green

grass. It would be a huge feat for a small nonprofit like mine! As word traveled that we would be opening the first home for teen sex trafficking victims in this, America’s sex trafficking capital, I started receiving calls from ABC and NBC affiliate news shows, internet talk radio, and the local police department, and large churches and community organizations to talk about what we were building. I spoke. And people listened. They said I was amazing. They said I was so gifted. They said I was phenomenal. And I believed them. I even closed my beautifully appointed outpatient clinic and moved everything to "the property". I transferred all my patients to a local psychiatrist who was starting a new practice and I abandoned everything I had built and everyone I loved for what looked like brighter, greener grass. It should have been an exciting time, but deep down inside I knew something was amiss. I knew what I was pursuing wasn’t in alignment with my calling. My inner circle came to me and tried to warn me. I wasn't hearing it. Even though I knew they were right, that this was not a match made in heaven, I kept going. And then days before we were scheduled to open the healing campus for girls, it all came crashing down. After months of jumping through endless hoops, I was utterly exhausted. I looked forward to opening day with somewhat of a blunted, disoriented excitement because it would mean I could stop handing over my personal bank statements, meeting with the donor at his request without my board members present, and going to dinner to hear him talk over my head about what he would do to fund my vision.

Continued on Page 10

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” Nelson Mandela

February 7th at 4:30 p.m: it was our final meeting before opening day. We’re all sitting around a massive 16-seat oak dining table in the dining room of the main house on “the property” and the donor kindly asks his assistant to slide me the “new organizational chart”. As she slid the document across the table, I shuddered and smiled with trepidation, certain that what I would behold would somehow seal the fate of this never before accomplished vision. The new organizational chart showed the donor’s company at the top. His company would be taking over the project and my 22member staff and I would be answering directly to his corporate team. My vision would now be stewarded by the donor. In that moment, the dream disintegrated right before my eyes. Life as I knew it collapsed. After several difficult verbal exchanges, two days of prayer and discussion with my team, me declining the donor’s funding, and he, in an illadvised act of volatility, serving my organization with an eviction notice, here I stood on 3 acres of dark, lush, rich green grass, alone. Here I stood, gazing at what may as well have been a mirage. Here I stood, face to face with the reality that I would have to explain to countless onlookers and faithful supporters that the dream, the vision I had drawn them into simply wasn't going to happen. I was embarrassed. No, I was humiliated. Devastated. Nearly destroyed. The grass wasn't greener on the other side. This time, there was no one to fix it. This time, I had to take the fall...all by myself. I still shudder as I recall the sting of failure I felt that day and the courage I had to muster to finally get back up. It's been five years since that fiasco and I now realize, I had been chasing my own identity through what I thought was success. I had been hustling for my worthiness.

How did I get up? First, I took time to grieve the loss of my dream. Then, I reflected on what the challenge came to teach me and what part of my character the challenge exposed. Next, I owned my role in the unfortunate circumstances. Fourth, I asked the Creator to reveal to me what my next steps should be, what doors of opportunity I should walk through, and what course of action I should take that would allow me to offer the world my highest and best self. Finally, I forgave myself and everyone involved. I asked forgiveness from those I abandoned in the months leading up to the demise of my business. Once I got crystal clear on those steps, I used everything I learned to inform my next strategic move. These are the steps I took to get up. It took me five years to get to this place and I must say it was worth every tear, every crucial conversation, and every private moment of reckoning. If you’ve failed or experienced a major loss in your life or in your business, you can get back up. I’m stronger, more confident, more discerning, and more selfaware than I’ve ever been. It took failure to get here. Have you lost something? Have you lost someone? Have you experienced failure? It’s time to get up. It’s time to write the end of your own story.

Media Contact: Christina Sanford is Founding Principal at Living Waters Leadership Institute, LLC She provides keynote presentations, corporate and small business trainings, and business change consultancy to leaders and organizations across the nation. Book her for your next event at http://christinasanford.com/speaking/ or learn more at Christinasanford.com. Page 10

Entrepreneur of the Week Business Owner at YAH! You Are Hired Job Fairs

LaToya Laymon is passionate about helping people find jobs. She started this path in Los Angeles when a nonprofit organization gave her the job of helping displaced youth become self-sufficient through employment. It was not enough to help them with resumes and interview skills training, she had to find employers too. Her success in this job made her the The Job Fair Guru. Now she brings her experience and passion to help job seekers in Las Vegas. In fact she has her own company: YAH! You Are Hired Job Fairs & Career Services Are you looking for the perfect job, or seeking to be retrained for a career that is in demand? Then you can’t miss YAH! You Are Hired Job Fairs career event. If you are currently employed, yet seeking future employment or training then this hiring fair is for you. If you are an unemployed job seeker, YAH! has the employers and the schools to get you back in the job market. You can exspect top employers and schools at their career events to move your life forward. Network with job seekers and employers who are present The next job fair is ser for Thursday, July 27, 2017 from 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM PDT The event location is Clark County Library, 1401 E. FLAMINGO RD. Inquires to: REGISTER @ EVENTBRITE.COM If you are looking for help with resume preparation or interview technique YAH! You Are Hired Job Fairs & Career Services can help you in both areas. Reach out to LaToya at 1-888-393-3310 or www.YAHJobFairs.com!

Check out this video: https://lnkd.in/gMCTeVD

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Editors Choice 27

TEAM Referral We are looking for success oriented business people in your community who want to do better, smarter business through relationship marketing.There are 7 chapters in greater Las Vegas, Please check their website for details at www.teamreferralnetwork.com.

Martini Monday Mixer Your networth is equal to your network. Join this group of movers and shakers and watch your business bottomline improve.. August 7th, Salute Trattoria, 6-9pm

POWHer Breakfast MAXIMIZING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR YOUR BUSINESS Keep your "social" skills up-to-date to get the most out of your social media marketing efforts and your social media marketing dollars! on August 15th at 8:00am.

Vital Medias 29

italMedias.com hosts a FREE small business Incubator and Mastermind meet up EVERY Saturday! Average attendance is 30 small business owners! The week's Mastermind will be held at: RedFlint (Downtown) (EVENTBRITE.COM)

Polka Dot Powerhouse Polka Dot Powerhouse Las Vegas Chapter Business Connect launch event is 8/17/17. You DON'T want to miss it! It's going to be an EPIC event!! There will be a wide assortment of women business owners, entrepreneurs, https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/link-tochapters/96-las-vegas/nv

{networker of the week} Gus Vega OWNER,

WINE

COMPANY

Gus was nominated because he followed up with me after connecting on Facebook.com

HIS STORY Gus is a leader in the Direct Cellars' REVOLUTION. Which focuses on EXPLORATION DISCOVERY and EDUCATION. Each month our experts select great PREMIUM wines from wineries around the globe. Each selection is accompanied by our tasting notes - detailing the WHO, HOW and WHERE each wine was crafted and your SATISFACTION is GUARANTEED.

WINE TIME Discover a new wine every month... Without Confusing Wine Shopping Without Leaving Your Home Without Paying Retail Ever Again www.gxvega.com

Attraction Marketing 101 “The art of positioning yourself in front of your perfect prospect where they chase you down rather than you chasing them” The big question many in the home business industry always ask is…. “Can attraction marketing be duplicated?” The answer is… NO! With that being said does that mean one shouldn’t practice it?

Do you want to have these traits too? Then become a lleader and commit to personal growth. When you have something people want that meets a need in the marketplace, people will seek you out. "When they see you as the leader they want to follow, they are attracted to that, and will follow you.

Does that mean people should stay away from it? NO of course not. Why attraction marketing then? Because if you look around the industry and you look at the most successful people you will see that the ones that achieve great things its almost always the leaders. Leaders are attractive in nature. The only way a person becomes attractive (in a business sense of course) is to have something of value that other people want. People want a leader that will show them the way. You cannot duplicate attraction marketing because you can’t duplicate leadership.Systems duplicate, leadership does not. Leadership is something that comes from within each individual when they decide to grow. They have to change their MINDSET. You can’t systematize leadership. You can’t systematize personal growth. You can’t systematize passion. You can’t systematize tenacity. You can’t systematize vision. You can’t systematize the inner desire to succeed. These are all traits of leadership that are attractive to people that are seeking a better way and a leader to follow.

Media contact: Sherial Dobesh Online Marketer Sherial's Network Live.TV 702-285-8984 http://www.SherialDobesh.com

WHAT IS THE BLOCKCHAIN AND

HOW DOES IT WORK? By Verner Dixon, Jr. Shortly after the release of Satoshi’s white paper in 2008, it became apparent that the main technical innovation was not the digital currency, but the technology that the currency was running on, known today as Blockchain. The Blockchain, which ensures that the required functions, are fully automated on the internet. The Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger or decentralized database (which is a network of replicated databases, synchronized via the internet and visible to anyone within the network that keeps records of digital transactions. Which can be private or public. The Blockchain network data is stored on many computers (miners) and every computer is directly in contact (a node) with all the other computers in the Blockchain network. Everybody has his own register of who owns what. On a regular basis, all personal registers are compared to correct errors and ensure agreement about the truth. When there is a transaction, both the buyer and the seller broadcast the transaction and everybody must update his personal register, after checking if the transaction is broadcast according to the agreed procedures. Blockchain’s cryptographic, decentralized and open nature allow people to trust each other and transact peer to peer, making the need for intermediaries obsolete. This also brings very high level of security benefits. The data is secured in three ways: 1. A digital signature 2. Updated information is continuously added to the chain. 3. Computers in the network need to agree on the accuracy of the data. If someone wanted to hack into any one block in a blockchain, they would not only need to hack into that specific block, but they would need to hack into all of the blocks before it, going back through the entire history of that blockchain. And they would need to do it on every ledger in the network, which could be millions, simultaneously. The Blockchain is a highly disruptive technology that promises to change the world as we know it. The technology is not only shifting the way we use the Internet, but it is also revolutionizing the world economy. “[Blockchain] is to Bitcoin, what the internet is to email. A big electronic system, on top of which you can build applications. Currency is just one.” Sally Davies, FT Technology Reporter The blockchain technology has many other applications. Bitcoin was just the first and most well-known. Bitcoin is only one of over 700 applications that use the blockchain system today. At the time of this writing, millions of dollars are invested in further developments of the blockchain. That will only increase as more and more solutions are developed. What is next? Keep watching, the future is very bright for Blockchain developed applications. Contact: Inquires to: Verner Dixon, Jr., 702-580-9397, verner@vmenterprises.biz

EDWARD SOUTHWICK

You Are The Project This life transforming program (& "Happiness Certification") are now combined with the world's first "MONEY MOTIVATION SELF-IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM" GET PAID to improve yourself! LOSE WEIGHT! LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE! OBTAIN NEW SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS! MAKE NEW FRIENDS! MAKE MORE MONEY! BECOME BALANCED, HAPPY AND LOVING! BECOME A SUPERIOR YOU! PRESENTATIONS on Monday @ 4:30 & Friday @ 6:00 PM (You've got to see it to believe it!) 4000 S. Eastern Ave. Suite 150 www.youaretheproject.com Office: 702-462-0059

MINGLE 702 | JULY 17, 2017

RedFlint Offers Tech and Tools to Help Businesses and Entrepreneurs “Spark” Innovation By Staff Writer “Educate. Incubate. Accelerate.” The tagline of University of Phoenix’s RedFlint experience center™, a hands-on learning environment based in the vibrant, innovative tech and business community in downtown Las Vegas.

Startups can use RedFlint to construct business plans surrounded by the resources to get them off the ground. Companies have the ability to incubate new products, revenue streams or processes in a space where they can fail, learn and grow. Incubate.

To most companies, these are buzz words but at RedFlint™, they are concepts designed to help entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses “spark” innovation. RedFlint is more than a clever name (flint sparks fire), it’s a unique combination of innovative concepts designed to lend solutions to common business issues – stagnation, limited resources and slow adaption to the technology curve – that affect companies of any size.

Through Iron Yard Ventures, startups can access a 13-week accelerator program at RedFlint to help build their companies and present them to investors for the potential to earn seed funding. Entrepreneurs gain a way to take business to the next level with one of the premier accelerators. Accelerate.

The 10,000 square-foot center is the brainchild of University of Phoenix’s Dennis Bonilla, executive dean of the College of Information Systems & Technology, and Ruth Veloria, executive dean of the School of Business. The idea developed from the need to provide resources to the burgeoning startup scene in Las Vegas – ranked the fifth highest startup city in the nation1 – as well as the robust gaming, hospitality and food services industries. The end product is an open-space concept centered on shared thinking and experimental learning that boasts an assortment of tech and tools to support a variety of business needs. For individuals and established businesses, RedFlint offers free workshops and professional development opportunities that are adapted as technology and industries evolve. Additionally, RedFlint provides rotating technology showcases that offer access to some of the latest tools, from SAS® Analytical Software and Toolwire’s Cybersecurity Experience to virtual and augmented reality devices. These showcases are also open to the public. Educate.

“RedFlint offers the necessary business resources to aid innovation at every level, from Fortune 500s to startups,” Bonilla said. “Innovation is the catalyst for success in today’s competitive business market, so providing the gambit of tools and technology is vital to business growth.” For more information about RedFlint, including a calendar of upcoming workshops and other events, visit: www.redflintvegas.com. 1 http://www.kauffman.org/mwginternal/de5fs23hu73ds/progress? id=WZIvZdm136iyc_ZdBifWBSLbpfPkng8kuh1NSW GtrV4,&dl

Inside RedFlint

ARE YOU A RISK TAKER?

BY RONNIE ROLL Entrepreneurs tend to be risk takers, but we don’t all take them to the same degree or in the same way. Understanding your comfort with risk and others’ comfort with it will help you to avoid conflict and many headaches along the way. Deciding whether to order chocolate or vanilla ice cream is fairly simple for most of us. We ask ourselves which flavor we like best, and assuming no difference in the cost, we order our favorite flavor. What happens though if we suggest you need to cross over a 100foot ravine that drops into a raging river below in order to have the chocolate ice cream? Does the vanilla become more pleasing to you? What if the vanilla ice cream now costs $1,000? $10,000? At what point do you decide the chocolate might be worth the difficult process to get it versus the vanilla? At what point do you decide neither is worth the cost to obtain it? The process requires us to consider our comfort with risk assessment. There is a sliding scale of risk with intersecting lines for each of us. Risk cannot be measured as an all-or-nothing proposition as there are usually many variables in our decision-making process. Ask yourself: 1. What is the likelihood you can actually be successful in acquiring your desired goal? 2. What will it cost you to acquire it? 3. Is the cost worth the gain? and 4. How badly do you actually want it? Give your answers to each a rating from 0-100. Consider a score of 400 to mean you have no roadblocks ahead and should charge through the door. Seriously consider whether you take the risk for anything less than 200. Consider the effects of business partners, financial backers, and even spouses in your risk taking. Are the people in your life open to the same level of risk that you are? Should you choose a partner who is more conservative to temper yourself? Your company’s growth, your personal life enjoyment and more depend on the answers. http://www.ronnieroll.com/ Author's Bio: As a professional business strategist and coach, I am committed to helping budding entrepreneurs go from "I have an idea" to their grand opening and beyond.

MEDITATION MONDAY 3 Tips to Increase Creativity corporate om Meditation complimentary coaching click for a 10-minute consultation

“Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found.” – Eckhart Tolle 5-Minuted Guided Meditation to Activate Creativity | https://youtu.be/TODtU3FKIMU

1. Plant seeds, but then let the universe work out the details. Maybe what you want is a great idea for your novel but you aren’t meditating with the purpose of attaining the idea. You can have the thought that your meditation is awakening creativity but after that thought is planted, like seeds in the garden, you just let it grow. No digging it up to see if it’s growing. Just trust that it will grow—that your idea is already sprouting. 2. Try guided meditation if you usually practice silently. The “awaken your creativity” meditation here is a great choice, and one of many you can find that aims at tapping into your creative mind. 3. Be mindful outside of meditation. Creativity comes in many forms. Your personal style, how you plate your food, or how you deliver reports at work all require creativity. Put your attention on creativity and watch how it blossoms. Heighten your awareness of where you are creative to train your brain to think creatively. Remember: Creativity isn’t reserved for certain people who are more inspired or unique, it’s in us all just waiting for a chance to come out.

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LEGAL EXPERT

MINGLE 702

Business & Cannabis By Rena McDonald, Esq. Nevada’s Question 2 passed with 54 percent of the vote and was one of 7 states that passed similar measures this past election cycle. Essentially, it decriminalized the recreational use of marijuana which took effect starting January 1st, 2017. Very little guidance was provided in the legislation regarding how the measure applies to employers, so companies had to navigate through this new policy until further legal clarity comes forth. Nevada legislators have finally made headway and are providing guidance to the distribution of marijuana. As a result of Question 2 passing last fall up to one ounce of marijuana will be available for sale beginning July 1, to those 21 and older. This will be the first time recreational marijuana is available for sale in the Silver State. Even though possession of marijuana became legal Jan. 1, there were no places that had the go-ahead to sell it. With this new legislation, it is important that business owners understand the new laws and how they apply to their business to avoid complications.

While it is fairly easy to test and determine if an employee is under the influence of alcohol during the workday it is much more difficult to determine if an employee is under the influence of marijuana; as marijuana can remain in a person’s system for prolonged periods of time. In addition to recreational marijuana use, Nevada employers must also be compliant with the separate laws pertaining to the medical use of marijuana where it has been decided that employers must, in certain circumstances, make reasonable accommodations for the medical needs of an employee. Private business may still test for and terminate employees for failed drug tests of all illegal drugs and may terminate any employee who is under the influence of alcohol while on duty. If you are a federal employer or a private employer that accepts federal funds all use of cannabis is outlawed.

First, it is recommended that businesses update their personnel handbooks, compliance policies, and guest-use policies immediately. If you are not sure what policies you can implement, now would be a good time to consult an attorney experienced with employment law. Being proactive now will prevent problems and could save you stress or unforeseen expenses in the long run. The demands to maintain a safe workplace means that employers have a substantial interest in the use of recreational marijuana by their employees. In order to minimize the employer’s liability in workplace accidents, employers should establish rules that prohibit employees from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the workday. While it is fairly easy to test and determine if an employee is under the influence NOMADIC

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LEGAL EXPERT

MINGLE 702

Currently Nevada law is undeveloped as to whether you can prohibit your employees from using marijuana outside of the workplace. Some may argue that you can terminate an employee who fails a drug test because marijuana is still illegal under federal law. This ideology for some is supported by a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court who found that an employer did not violate Colorado’s lawful activities statute by terminating an employee who failed a drug test due to his use of medicinal marijuana outside of the workplace. There are others who argue that the current statutes to protect an employee’s lawful use of any product outside the premises of the employer also apply to the use of marijuana. The Nevada Supreme Court has not been presented with any cases raising this question yet and it will be interesting to see if the Nevada Supreme Court will rely on the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision or will rely on the statutes discussed above. Deciding what is acceptable conduct for employees on company time and while off the clock are similar to the same guidelines for other activities that can and do spill over into workplace roles and duties. As the legislation develops further, it may be best to consult with an experienced attorney to effectively establish a policy that is compliant with the law and clearly communicates your guidelines to your employees. McDonald Law Group is available to help your business navigate through this issue and any other legal matter facing your company. Please call the office to schedule a free consultation. This article was provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship.

NOMADIC

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