In 2012, Washington shook the U.S. by legalizing recreational marijuana. Several other Western states have followed suit, such as Oregon, California, and Nevada. This wave of change seemed to skip past the midwestern states though, and move straight to the Northeastern states. Alongside the sweeping legislation, notable figures like the Governor of Wisconsin and a Nevada assemblywoman spoke out in favor of marijuana’s legalization.
Marijuana at Work – What US Laws Say
While it is true that as many as 25 states have legalized recreational marijuana, it is also true that every state has their own rules surrounding legal marijuana limits. Similarly, many states have legalized access to marijuana via prescription, but not legalized recreational access.
All these rules can be quite difficult to keep up with if you’re a U.S. business. For instance, states like Nevada and Illinois have gone a step farther and prohibited pre-employment drug testing by employers. Similarly, accommodation is required for people prescribed medicinal marijuana in states like New Mexico and Washington. Because of the combination of all these factors, it is estimated that over 33% of all U.S. businesses simply are not prepared for the impact of legal marijuana.
Already, 48% of employers have conceded and stopped testing for cannabis in the pre-hire process. For those who remain testing, things don’t get much easier. It is estimated that 25,000 drug tests conducted were classified as invalid. This is a 45% year-over-year growth from 2022 and the highest rate ever recorded. And, in states like Arizona and Arkansas, employers require more than just a failed drug test to discipline an employee.
Ultimately, if you’re starting a business, you have no choice but to keep your eye on marijuana. Whether you choose to continue pre-employment testing or avoid the situation entirely, it is pivotal that you keep your eye on local marijuana laws to make sure your business is staying compliant.
Source: US Drug Test Centers
