Workplace Marijuana and Cocaine Positive Tests Rose

A 2025 analysis by Quest Diagnostics revealed increasing positivity rates for several substances in workplace drug screenings.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a glass laboratory beaker containing a small bundle of fibers on a sterile surface, representing health screening. — Quest Diagnostics reported that positive workplace drug tests for marijuana and cocaine rose in 2025, with hair sample testing showing 19 percent positivity. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should employers be required to accommodate employees who use medical marijuana during off-duty hours?

Quest Diagnostics reported that positive workplace drug tests for marijuana and cocaine rose in 2025. Data indicated that 19 percent of workers tested positive for drug use through hair samples during that year.

Why it matters

These testing trends may reflect the broader legalization of cannabis across the United States and a decrease in alcohol consumption among younger adults. The shift complicates workplace policies as employers navigate potential requests for medical marijuana accommodations.

In 2025, marijuana hair test positivity reached 15.1 percent, up from 9.5 percent in 2021, while cocaine positivity in hair tests rose to 4.0 percent from 2.7 percent. Fentanyl testing showed a decline, dropping to 0.28 percent in 2025.

The players

Quest Diagnostics

This corporation provides diagnostic testing services and maintains extensive datasets regarding workplace drug screening trends.

U.S. Department of Justice

This federal executive department is responsible for the enforcement of laws and the administration of justice in the United States.

The details

Employers use various methods, including urine, oral fluid, and hair samples, to conduct screenings that are governed by a complex web of state and federal regulations. Rates of positive tests varied by industry, with healthcare showing 5.8 percent positivity and manufacturing reporting 4.2 percent.

2021 served as the baseline for comparative drug positivity rates.
2024 was the measurement year for fentanyl positivity rates.
2025 is the primary year for the reported drug positivity percentages.
April 2026 marked the DOJ reclassification of marijuana to Schedule III.
Summer 2026 was when Quest Diagnostics issued the testing report.

The Big Picture

This drug testing data relates to the changing administrative classification under the Controlled Substances Act. The reported findings follow the 2026 reclassification of marijuana by the federal government, which updated the drug's status to Schedule III.

Employees may encounter evolving workplace drug policies as companies adapt to widespread marijuana legalization and potential disability accommodation requests. Workers should be aware that positive test outcomes can vary significantly depending on the testing method used by their employer.

The takeaway

As marijuana legalization continues to expand, the traditional landscape of corporate drug screening is becoming increasingly complex for both employers and staff. Individuals should remain informed about their company’s specific drug testing policies and how legal shifts might impact their employment status.