Marijuana screening should still be used in face of drug reclassification, DOT clarifies

The US Department of Transportation does not plan on altering the trucking industry’s ability to screen for marijuana, even if the drug is rescheduled, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed this week. 

Buttigieg confirmed that the DOT’s proposal to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug will not impact marijuana screening in the transportation industry in the wake of a second letter of concern from the American Trucking Associations. Buttigieg’s confirmation was directed at Congressman Rick Crawford. 

“We are grateful to Congressman Crawford for elevating this serious issue, and we appreciate Secretary Buttigieg’s focus on providing the transportation industry with the clarity it needs to continue screening for marijuana use among safety-sensitive transportation workers,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear.  “If the trucking industry’s ability to conduct drug testing for marijuana use were to be restricted, a heightened risk of impaired drivers would threaten our nation’s roadways.  DOT and ATA share the goals of achieving zero highway fatalities and ensuring the commercial driving workforce is qualified to safely operate, which is why we are committed to partnering with DOT to mitigate harmful impacts caused by the potential reclassification of marijuana.”

“Our understanding of the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III is that it would not alter DOT’s marijuana testing requirements with respect to the regulated community,” said Secretary Buttigieg.  “For private individuals who are performing safety-sensitive functions, subject to drug testing, marijuana is identified by name, not by reference to one of those classes. So even if it was in its classification, we do not believe that that would have a direct impact on that authority.”