A Quest Diagnostics study suggests a strong correlation between the increase in the the number of states that have legalized marijuana and the drug’s usage among workers. The study shows the percentage of employees in the U.S. workforce testing positive for marijuana following an on-the-job accident increased to its highest level in 25 years in 2022.
Overview
Of the more than 6 million urine tests Quest analyzed in 2022 for marijuana use in the general worker category — which excludes federally mandated, safety-sensitive workers such as pilots, truck drivers who undergo routine drug testing — 4.3% were positive, up from 3.9% in 2021. That marks the highest number of positive test results for marijuana ever recorded by Quest during the 34 years it has analyzed workplace drug use data. The number of general workers who tested positive for marijuana following an on-the-job accident in 2022 was 7.3%, compared with 6.7% in 2021 — the highest level in 25 years.
More workers in federally mandated safety-sensitive jobs also tested positive for marijuana usage. Within this group, .98% tested positive for cannabis nationally, compared with 0.86% in 2021. In states where recreational use of marijuana is legal, 5.7% of the general U.S. workforce tested positive for marijuana in 2022 versus the 4.3% national average that same year. Marijuana positivity among the general workforce in states where medical marijuana is legal was below the national average at 3.9% in 2022.
These increases in post-accident marijuana positivity correspond with legalization of marijuana in certain states, according to Quest Diagnostics analysis. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Since then, 19 additional states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of marijuana and 38 states (plus the District of Columbia) have legalized medical use, although either kind of use remains illegal under federal law.
Drug Screening
NCS offers several methods of drug screening to help you create a safer working environment, such as Lab-Based Urine Drug Testing; Instant, Onsite Urine Drug Screening and Oral Fluids Testing, With a few easy steps, your employees can schedule their drug screen at a collection site they choose at a time that is convenient for them. DOT testing and random testing are also available.
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