Drug testing is a fairly common practice among HVAC contractors, with some even using their policies in their marketing campaigns. But as more states legalize marijuana in one form or another, testing becomes more complicated. There are 33 states that allow marijuana consumption for medical purposes and another 11 that allow recreational use. That number grows every year, even though marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.
Hillary Atkins, general counsel for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, said she received numerous phone calls from contractors a few years ago when states first started moving toward legalization. The pace of calls has slowed, but the laws remain fairly unclear.