A new federal labor report indicates that drug testing rates at U.S. workplaces have fallen considerably over the past quarter-century, as states began ending marijuana prohibition—and the data offers a glance at what types of industries are screening workers for drugs the most and the least. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the report last month. It also found that a small proportion of workplaces have eliminated or delayed screening of workers for drugs including alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report is part of a project measuring businesses’ response to the pandemic. It appears to be the first time since 1996 that the workforce fact-finding agency has asked employers about drug screening. During that time, nearly three-quarters of all U.S. states have since legalized medical marijuana, while more than a third have OK’d cannabis for adult use. The report shows that drug testing is generally less prevalent in states that have opted to legalize. As might be expected, workers in safety-sensitive industries like transportation and warehousing were most likely to be tested compared to other sectors like those in food services, arts, and educational services. In 1996, about 30 percent of all surveyed worksites said they tested for drugs, while about 14 percent said they screened for alcohol. In the new survey, 16.1 percent said they tested for drugs and/or alcohol.
Ben Adlin, Marijuana Moment, 03/14/2022 08:31:00