Cannabis Legalization and its Impact on the Transportation Industry

The medicinal and recreational legalization of marijuana continues to be on the rise across the United States. The majority of states have enacted laws that permit patients suffering from debilitating illnesses to access and use medical cannabis and 19 states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, have legalized recreational cannabis consumption. Along with the growing number of individuals using marijuana, these jurisdictions also are aiming to provide protections to those job applicants and employees who lawfully use cannabis outside of the workplace. Although employees in other industries are beginning to address widespread staffing shortages due to Covid-19 by modifying or discontinuing drug testing for THC metabolites, the option is not available for those in transportation. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires drug and alcohol testing for all workers for five classes of drugs. The transportation of cannabis is permissible in states where the drug has been legalized, so long as regulatory standards are followed.

 

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Post By Ken Shafton (2,325 Posts)