Lee also intends to drum up support for H.R. 1782, a federal bill in Congress that would remove federal restrictions that currently prevent physicians from legally prescribing marijuana. Similar events are anticipated to take place this fall in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. The overall drug positivity rate has declined by 70 percent since the company began tracking the results of its workplace drug testing more than ten years ago. He noted that the percentage of major U.S. firms that test for drugs rose from 21.5 percent in 1987 to 81 percent in 1996. St. Pierre further speculated that many employees are now aware of techniques or products that enable them to beat most types of drug testing.
Many employees are now armed and ready to face a drug test.
St. Pierre explained that marijuana metabolites are fat soluble, thereby lingering in the body longer than other drugs commonly screened for. In addition to being the third most widely used drug in America, marijuana has a longer detection time in the body than other drugs. The overwhelming majority of positive drug tests are for marijuana only, and do not give an employer any indication whether an employee is impaired while at work. Organizers anticipate over 70,000 attendees. Last year's event drew nearly 60,000 people and was the largest marijuana reform rally held in 1996.