More Employees Are Reporting To Work High

Key Details

• In 2022, marijuana use among U.S. workers reached a 25-year high, according to a study from Quest Diagnostics.
• The company analyzed more than 6 million urine tests from workers in 2022 and found that 4.3% tested positive, up from 3.9% in 2021.
• Quest found that 7.3% of workers who had workplace injuries also tested positive for marijuana, according to The New York Post.

Why it’s News

• The public's attitude toward marijuana use has become more positive over the last several years as multiple states have moved to legalize it for either medical or recreational purposes.
• This year, at least four states are putting recreational marijuana use on the ballot: Minnesota, Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
• According to Quest’s study, marijuana usage increased as more states legalized the drug.
• If more states vote to allow cannabis use, the number of employees working while high may continue to rise, according to The New York Post.

Industry Trends

• Certain industries were more likely to have high workers than others:
• Positive tests among hospitality and food service employees rose 42.9%.
• Retail workers increased by 42.6%.
• Positive tests in the finance and insurance industry jumped 38.5%.

Other Drug Usage

• Marijuana is the most common drug found during workplace drug testing, but Quest also noted an increase in workers using other drugs, such as amphetamines.
• The number of positive tests for other drugs reached 1.5%, up from 1.3% the year before.
• Quest’s study could not differentiate between prescription and illicit drug use.

Legalization Status

• Cannabis use is completely legal in 21 states and the District of Columbia.
• Only four states—Idaho, Wyoming, Kansas, and South Carolina—have not legalized cannabis use in any form.
• The remaining states have legalized medical marijuana usage, though seven have legalized CBD oil only.