Record numbers of Americans are failing workplace drug tests because of cannabis, so what’s the answer?

Quest Diagnostics recently revealed that the number of positive drug tests in American workplaces from January through December 2021 is higher than the total number filed from the early 2000s through 2019. This statistic shows that Americans are using drugs more than ever. On the plus side, marijuana accounts for a significant percentage of those test results. According to Quest Diagnostics’ report published in The Wall Street Journal, about six million samples were tested and 3.8% tested positive for cannabis use.

Since this report is an annual report, it was easy to compare past and current numbers. A careful look at Quest’s 2020 indices reveals that the current statistics for positive cannabis tests are at an all-time high of two decades. Compared to the pandemic year 2020, there is an increase of at least 7 percent. A comparison of the latest statistics with figures from 2017 or earlier would reveal an even larger gap. The 2021 figures are at least 50% higher than the figures for positive drug tests in 2015.

The most obvious takeaway from this data is that Americans are recalibrating their attitudes toward cannabis use. Public perceptions of the drug continue to shift in favor of marijuana. New cannabis legislation in various states has played and continues to play a major role in the acceptance of cannabis by the general public.

Drug testing policies in the workplace

Drug testing in the workplace is part of everyday life in most industrialized countries. Businesses in both the private and public sectors in the United States consider this an essential factor in ensuring that their employees are suitable for work or service in their various entities. Some companies conduct this testing exercise before hiring workers and continue to test infrequently to ensure workers are following company rules.

Federal agencies are some of the many businesses and workplaces where drug testing is incredibly important. A history of drug use and a positive drug test are sufficient to disqualify an applicant or terminate an employee’s contract. For them it is a question of security.

Quest Diagnostics pointed out that with each piece of cannabis legislation added, fewer companies are testing for THC. Some cannabis law states have exempted cannabis from their drug testing requirements. Additionally, some states with recreational and medical cannabis laws have passed laws that prevent companies from testing existing and potential employees for marijuana.

Currently, workplace cannabis testing requirements vary slightly from state to state, depending on state legislature and corporate stance on cannabis use. The perception of cannabis in every nook and cranny of the United States is still evolving, and the final straw would be a change in state cannabis laws.

Failed drug tests

For now, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. Still, more employees in legal and illegal states are failing their drug tests, including federal employees.

Most fingers are pointing to the pandemic as the main cause of the increase in these statistics. Experts explained that the lockdown period, which has created a shortage of staff during the pandemic, has caused some employers to be more lenient. For example, if a worker fails a cannabis test today, they will be fired with a warning or minimal penalty, whereas in the past the worker was at high risk of being fired for the same offence.

It’s important to note that cannabis drug tests are the only tests handled in this way. Other banned drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, are still banned and thoughtfully frowned upon in all establishments. Employers are only lenient to failed “cannabis” tests, nothing else.

Additionally, industries that require workers to handle heavy machinery have taken no steps to change their drug testing policies. This is understandable as workers must be vigilant at all times. A policy change at these facilities could result in dozens of accidents.

There are different perceptions of cannabis in the labor market. Younger workers are the primary consumers of these products, but are often cut off from employment opportunities due to drug testing limits. This is also one of the reasons why the freelance sector is growing by the day – potential and talented employees are not required to undergo any drug tests.

Go forward

Over the next few years, private and public companies will either change or maintain their drug testing policies. This debate about workplace drug testing cannot be resolved until all 50 states have a consistent drug policy in place. The talks will continue to shift each day.

Less than five weeks ago, the Department of Transportation proposed a new policy that would allow employees to choose what options they want for their drug testing. With this new rule, employers would have to offer at least two options to employees who conduct drug tests. It can be urine, saliva, or even blood tests. The employee would decide.

Most companies prefer to test urine samples. This is the norm as urinalysis can detect THC consumption within four weeks. On the other hand, saliva tests will only detect THC if it has been used within the last 24 hours. Blood tests can detect THC consumption for up to six weeks. You can already guess which test workers would opt for when this new rule is passed.

Last note

The importance of drug testing in some workplaces cannot be overstated. At these locations, workers who fail drug tests are either put on probation or fired. These organizations have security as their watchword. Even government organizations announced a few weeks ago that federal government employees and contractors would have their IDs revoked if they failed their drug tests. However, most companies can afford to make their drug policies less restrictive.

The reality of the country’s existence presents cannabis as a widely accepted drug for medicinal and recreational purposes; Therefore, cross-workplace laws need to reflect this. As the legal status of cannabis strengthens every day, corporate politicians should start embracing changes to ensure the most talented employees are not fired or locked out of the best labor institutions.

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