Workplace Drug Test Positivity Rates Rose Through 2025
Data shows shifts in drug test results for employees as cannabis legalization and testing methods evolve across the U.S.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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In 2025, Quest Diagnostics reported that 19 percent of workers tested positive for drug use via hair samples, reflecting an upward trend in certain substance detections. This analysis arrives as the legal landscape for cannabis continues to shift across the country.
Why it matters
These testing trends may reflect the broader legalization of marijuana and changing patterns in substance use among the adult workforce. Such data highlights an evolving workplace environment where employers may increasingly navigate requests for disability accommodations.
A 2025 analysis of workplace screenings found hair test positivity for marijuana reached 15.1%, up from 9.5% in 2021, while cocaine positivity rose to 4.0% from 2.7% over the same period. Researchers also noted a decline in fentanyl positivity, which dropped to 0.28% in 2025 compared to 0.55% in 2024.
The players
Quest Diagnostics
A provider of diagnostic testing and workplace drug screening services that tracks national trends in substance positivity.
U.S. Department of Justice
The federal agency responsible for the administration of controlled substances, including the 2026 reclassification of marijuana.
The details
Employers utilize urine, oral fluid, and hair samples to screen for drug use, with testing protocols governed by a mix of federal and state regulations. Marijuana positivity reached 4.4 percent in urine and 11.1 percent in oral fluid testing during 2025. These results appear in a national context where 40 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical marijuana, while 24 states and Washington, D.C. permit adult recreational use.
Timeline
2021 served as the baseline for comparative drug positivity rates.
2024 marked the measurement period for fentanyl positivity.
2025 was the primary year for reported drug positivity percentages.
April 2026 saw the DOJ reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III controlled substance.
Summer 2026 was when Quest Diagnostics issued the drug testing report.
Health Landscape
This data sits within the ongoing national shift regarding cannabis regulation and its integration into the modern workplace. It reflects how testing trends are tracking against the federal reclassification of marijuana to Schedule III.
If you are concerned about how specific medications—including medical marijuana—might interact with workplace policies, it is worth discussing with your doctor. Understanding your employer's testing protocols and available health accommodations is a helpful step for managing your career and wellness.
The takeaway
Workplace drug testing positivity rates for substances like marijuana and cocaine have seen notable shifts in recent years. Readers should remain aware of their local state laws regarding cannabis and how company policies may interact with their own medical care decisions.
Further reading
For more information on national trends and clinical guidance, visit Substance Abuse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The National Law Review - A Free To Use Nationwide Database of Legal Publications.
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Should employers be required to accommodate employees who use medical marijuana during off-duty hours?
