Can a CDL Driver Use Medical Marijuana?

Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) requires knowledge and specialized skills. A CDL driver carries the responsibility of safely operating large trucks, buses, vans and other vehicles. If CDL drivers test positive for drugs and/or alcohol, they will be removed from their safety-sensitive functions. But what if the driver holds a valid medical marijuana card? Does it mean their positive result is forgiven? The answer is: NO. The DOT does not allow the use of medical marijuana. Please read on to learn more.

DOT Mandated Employees and Medical Marijuana

With more and more states allowing medical marijuana, as well as recreational marijuana use, it is natural to be confused. However, it is important to realize that federally, marijuana is still considered to be a Schedule I narcotic. According to the DOT it is illegal to consume, sell, or possess marijuana. Additionally, the DOT strictly prohibits marijuana use by DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees even if it is legal in the state where they live. Truck drivers, pilots, ship captains, school bus drivers, subway operators, and all safety-sensitive transportation employees should stay away from it. If you test positive for marijuana and it was prescribed to you by a doctor, the test will remain positive and you’ll be removed from all safety-sensitive duties. It does not matter that a physician prescribed it to you. The transportation system and the traveling public must be as safe as possible.

Working with a Substance Abuse Professional

If a safety-sensitive employee operates a CMV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the employee can injure or kill themselves or those around them. To prevent tragedies, the DOT developed drug and alcohol testing guidelines. In order to maintain safety and follow DOT guidelines, employers must administer drug and alcohol testing to new and prospective employees, randomly throughout the year, and immediately following many accidents. If you failed a drug and/or alcohol test, you need to complete the return-to-duty process with a SAP (substance abuse professional).

This is where SAP Referral Services comes in. We’ve helped 25,000+ employees in the return-to-duty process. We match employees with SAPs across the country using our network of clinical specialists in over 3,000 locations. Plus, we guarantee that the SAP we schedule you with will be DOT qualified at the time of your initial meeting. Click here for more information!

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.