Especially in recent years, drug use has become more common as new legislation has emerged in several states regarding the topic. Especially in relation to the legalization of marijuana, many states are beginning to become more lenient on the use of the drug, both recreationally and medically. In fact, as of 2024, 21 states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and 38 states and DC have legalized the use of the drug for medical purposes. Although this legislation has proven to be liberating for many, positive marijuana tests have increased by over 45% over the past 5 years. This could lead to serious implications for safety-sensitive industries. In fact, recreational marijuana use laws are associated with a 10% increase in workplace injuries in young individuals.

In order to crack down on this phenomenon, many states are implementing workplace drug testing laws and anti-cheating measures. These new regulations are already being put into effect in several states, and are administered due to reasonable suspicion, post an accident, a return to duty, or even randomly. There are also many anti-cheating tools being put to use to ensure that results are accurate and beneficial. These policies are an example of how our industries are evolving as we grow and as our legislation continues to change over time.