Trucking Industry Group Raises Concerns Over Potential Impact of Marijuana Rescheduling on Driver Drug Testing
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has expressed deep concerns over the potential impact of federal marijuana rescheduling on drug testing programs for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and other safety-sensitive transportation workers. In a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), the ATA’s chief operating officer, Dan Horvath, emphasized the need for clarity on how the policy change would affect the industry.
The letter was sent in response to President Donald Trump’s recent statement that he would make a decision on the pending proposal to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) within weeks. While the proposal has not been enacted yet, the ATA is worried about the potential removal of mandatory federal drug testing guidelines under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that DOT must currently comply with.
Horvath noted that the industry group does not have a formal position on marijuana legalization or deregulation, but is concerned about the safety risks associated with rescheduling marijuana without explicit safeguards to preserve the necessary testing authority and technical requirements for DOT-regulated safety-sensitive workers.
The ATA is concerned that the removal of mandatory federal drug testing guidelines could lead to a gap in testing authority, making it difficult to prevent impaired driving. The group pointed out that there is currently no proven, widely accepted standard to determine marijuana impairment at roadside or before a driver begins operating a vehicle.
The letter also referenced data on the rate of positive THC tests among drivers and studies that demonstrate an increase in traffic fatalities following state-level legalization. Horvath emphasized that the risks and potential safety implications of a gap in testing authority are well-documented and that the industry group has repeatedly conveyed these concerns to the DOT.
The ATA is requesting clarity on DOT’s plans to address the potential impact of marijuana rescheduling on drug testing programs and is urging the department to proactively coordinate with HHS, the Department of Justice, and relevant lawmakers to ensure that any federal policy shift preserves the authority, tools, and technical capacity necessary to continue testing DOT-regulated safety-sensitive workers.
The trucking industry has been facing a shortage of drivers, with a report from a pair of companies in the industry stating that the sector was short about 80,000 drivers last year. The report also noted that the issue was exacerbated by workers testing positive for marijuana under DOT’s strict, zero-tolerance drug policy.
