In the past five years, positive marijuana tests have increased by over 45%. Across the United States, more and more states are legalizing the recreational and medical use of the substance, creating a dire need for drug testing laws to supplement this new leniency. Employee drug testing specifically has seen over 500 bills introduced in the past year, helping to tackle the risk that drug use poses to the American workforce.
This uptick in positive marijuana testing is a threat to workers in safety-sensitive industries. For example, professionals in energy, transportation, manufacturing or construction are seeing a 10% increase in injuries associated with recreational marijuana laws. This reality has led many states to put drug testing and anti-cheating policies into place. Ten states and counting have already made this change, aiming to create a safe and sober work environment for those who are at the highest risk. With drug legislation only becoming more lenient in many states, the time is now to use drug testing as a means of ensuring the safety of those who need it the most.
Learn more about the drug testing laws by state in the visual deep dive below:
Source: USDrugTestCenters.com
