Recreational Marijuana and DOT-Mandated Employees
As recreational marijuana is legalized on the state level, many Americans naturally assume it is perfectly legal to consume the drug during their leisure time. While using marijuana is legal for people from many walks of life who reside in “legal states,” the Department of Transportation wants safety-sensitive employees to know that marijuana use will put them on the sidelines.
DOT Mandated Employees and Recreational Marijuana
To the DOT, recreational marijuana is still illegal. There is no circumstance where safety-sensitive, DOT-mandated employees can use marijuana for recreational purposes. Marijuana is still illegal on the national level and employees whose industries are closely monitored by the federal government should not consume marijuana recreationally, or medically, if they want to keep their safety-sensitive jobs.
“It is important to note that marijuana remains a drug listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. It remains unacceptable for any safety-sensitive employee subject to drug testing under the Department of Transportation’s drug testing regulations to use marijuana.”
DOT-mandated employees who submit positive drug tests will immediately be removed from their safety-sensitive position. They can not resume their duties, in any DOT-mandated position, until they complete the return-to-duty SAP process.
Get in Touch with SRS to Start the SAP Process ASAP!
SAP Referral Services (SRS) can help those who fail a drug and/or alcohol test due to the use of marijuana or any other substances. For more information about SAP Referral Services’ FastTrack Enrollment Program, and to enroll today, click here.
SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.