Many drug-related laws in the United States are left to the jurisdiction of the states. Therefore, each state has a different tolerance when it comes to drug usage and its legality. Subsequently, related laws such as drug testing and employee drug testing laws are also handled on a state-by-state basis. This has led to a discrepancy in the legality of the drug testing of employees, as only 5 states currently have laws in place permitting it. Despite over 500 new bills being introduced in 2024 related to the subject, there is still much to do to improve the safety of vulnerable workers.

The legalization of marijuana has forever changed the relationship that Americans have with recreational drug usage. Over the past 5 years alone, experts have observed a 45.2% increase in positive marijuana tests. This could have serious implications for industries that rely on manual labor and heavy machinery. If workers are impaired, there is a greater risk for injury on the job, A pattern that research has already observed in young professionals.

In order to mitigate this risk, state and industry leaders are cracking down on test tampering and are administering testing in safety-sensitive industries. Using dilution detection and other advanced technology, at-risk industries like transportation and construction can now ensure that their employees are safe and sober while on the job.

Source: USDrugTestCenters.com