Can Safety-Sensitive Employees Use Medical Marijuana?

More than half of U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico approved the use medical marijuana. However, DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees need to be aware that they cannot test positive for any drug even if they’re using it for medical purposes. Failing a drug and/or alcohol test due to medical marijuana results in suspension of your safety-sensitive duties. To get back to work you must comply with a return-to-duty process guided by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). If you need to find SAP providers in Oklahoma, or elsewhere in the U.S., discover the services offered by SAP Referral Services. Read on to learn more.

What You Need to Know About Medical Marijuana

DOT mandated safety-sensitive employees hold a significant responsibility to keep themselves and the public safe. Consequently, they must follow the DOT’s drug and alcohol testing guidelines. Marijuana remains classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the DOT continues to prohibit marijuana use. Medical marijuana, along with drugs like heroin, ecstasy, and LSD are all strictly banned. Testing positive for any forbidden substance means immediate removal from your safety-sensitive duties.

If you fail a drug test based on medical marijuana, or other drug/alcohol use, you need to find a DOT-qualified SAP and participate in a return-to-duty program. The SAP gives you an in-depth evaluation and determines if you need counseling, treatment, and/or education. After they recommend the course of action you must successfully comply with the program before you are considered for a return-to-duty test.

Looking for SAP Providers in Oklahoma?

SAP Referral Services is the leading source for those looking for SAP providers in Oklahoma. We provide easy access to DOT-qualified SAPs in many locations across the United States. Our FastTrack Enrollment provides a quick start to your journey back to work. Enrollment requires just two steps. It includes scheduling of the initial evaluation, a face-to-face substance abuse evaluation and follow-up with a DOT-qualified SAP, two SAP reports, and recommendations for both treatment or education and submitting to a return-to-duty test. We’ve assisted over 25,000+ employees with their return-to-duty process and we can help you, too. To enroll today or for more information about our services, contact us!

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.