While data shows more people are consuming cannabis every year, this also means more people are failing their workplace drug tests. California companies, particularly, are beginning to rethink their no-tolerance policies on cannabis in the new world of legalization, paving the way for companies around the country to consider doing the same. Lion, tigers, failed drug tests, oh my! According to one of the nation’s largest clinical lab companies, cannabis was detected in 3% of Northern California’s workplace drug tests (that’s 1.5 times the national average). Companies are beginning to question whether prohibitive pot policies are now untenable given the consumption habits of its workforce. An increasing number of companies are working together with local lawyers to re-think their pot policies, potentially moving towards more forward-looking options like “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” or specific protections for those with medical cannabis recommendations. Why are pot drug tests in legal states still a thing? Fair question. Current drug tests are notoriously non-specific when it comes to cannabis, which can stay in your system for up to 30 days. They are generally unable to determine exactly when cannabis was consumed. If an employee is using a state-legal substance outside of work hours, is it fair for them to lose their job for doing so? This is a signal to the rest of the country that more must be done to develop accurate testing for cannabis use. It also identifies the need for state laws to specifically address workplace protections for cannabis consumers and patients in legal and medical states.