Marijuana went from something that was shunned and shamed to a common aspect of modern society in just a few decades. However, this change is not uniform across the country. States like California and New York have decided to completely legalize recreational marijuana up to a certain specified limit. Similarly, states like Texas and Florida do not provide legal access to recreational marijuana, but provide legal access for medicinal purposes via prescription. 40 states fall between these 2 categories, only 4 states entirely outlawing any form of marijuana and imposing harsh penalties against cannabis.
Because of this widespread growth business owners are forced to consider the impact of marijuana on their business. While it can be easy in some states to prohibit marijuana from the workplace, many states are coming up with legislation as protections for marijuana users. For example, states like Washington, D.C. and Nevada have already banned pre-employment marijuana screening. In another 16 states, those prescribed medicinal marijuana are required accommodation by law. Because of all these compounding factors, as much as 48% of businesses have simply given up on pre-employment tests for marijuana.
Even if your business decides to test, the troubles don’t stop there though. Around 25,000 drug tests were classified as invalid in 2023. This marks a 45% year-over-year growth from 2022, and the highest rate ever recorded. This figure also doesn’t include that 6,000 samples were classified as substituted, and ineligible to be used. Simply put, legal marijuana is coming and it’s going to shake up your business. This is especially important if your business operates across state lines or in multiple municipalities, as marijuana laws are likely to vary on a local level. If you want to make sure your business stays ahead and stays compliant, it’s absolutely crucial to keep your eye on marijuana legislation.
Source: US Drug Test Centers
