A major plot twist came from Amazon this week when the head of Amazon's HR posted a statement on the company's blog.

Amazon HR boss Beth Galetti wrote that the company has "reinstated the employment eligibility" for former employees and applicants fired or suspended during random or pre-employment marijuana screenings.

Galetti wrote:

"Pre-employment marijuana testing has disproportionately affected communities of color by stalling job placement and, by extension, economic growth, and we believe this inequitable treatment is unacceptable."

Though intriguing, the news comes after the giant announced there would be no further screening in a June statement.

This decision is not applicable for jobs regulated by the Department of Transportation, like truck drivers and heavy equipment operators.

Amazon further stated that there will still be checks on the job for drugs and alcohol after an incident on the job.

Galetti added that the company recognized the growing number of states legalizing marijuana, which is the primary reason for relaxing Amazon's policy.

The statement from HR further reads:

"Amazon's pace of growth means that we are always looking to hire great new team members, and we've found that eliminating pre-employment testing for cannabis allows us to expand our applicant pool."

Amazon's hiring has been on the rise since the pandemic, and the company started motivational packages for new workers, including bonuses and free college tuitions.

As Amazon stated in June, the company fully supports Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act and is backing a similar bill, called the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.

In a letter addressed to Congress this month, Amazon urged the government to stand up against nonviolent marijuana crimes and re-sentence anyone who is serving time in federal prison for such crime.

Here's the video:

What do you think about this decision? The news comes almost simultaneously as the company faces allegations of knocking off products it sells on its website and exploiting to promote its merchandise at the expense of other retailers.

Good PR or good intentions from Amazon? Let us know in the comments!