{"id":4690,"date":"2022-05-25T04:20:24","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T11:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dispensaries.com\/blog\/?p=4690"},"modified":"2022-05-25T08:08:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T15:08:56","slug":"marijuana-testing-of-truck-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dispensaries.com\/blog\/marijuana-testing-of-truck-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Congressman Wants Changes in Marijuana Testing of Truck Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Science currently cannot determine whether drivers are too impaired by cannabis to get behind the wheel. That\u2019s because THC, the chemical ingredient in cannabis that causes the high, remains detectable in urine for as long as a month. Despite this, the federal government continues to sideline truck drivers for marijuana use, even in the middle of a supply chain crisis.<\/p>\n

Thanks to federal law, which lists marijuana as an illegal substance, marijuana testing of truck drivers continues nationwide, despite the test\u2019s flaws<\/a>. It\u2019s led a congressman to ask that the federal government change the rules.<\/p>\n

Citing numbers from the federal Department of Transportation, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon, noted recently that the DOT has disqualified tens of thousands of truck drivers from working in the past two years because they tested positive for THC on a drug test.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese disqualifications deny people the right to earn a living, reduce the workforce when drivers are desperately needed, and penalize people of color and patients who legally use medical cannabis,\u201d Blumenauer wrote<\/a> in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. \u201cThis crisis must be treated with urgency.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Call to Change Drug Test Policies<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In his letter, Blumenauer wrote that the DOT should \u201crapidly reform\u201d policies that govern marijuana testing of truck drivers, allowing many drivers to return to service. He also called for a focus on developing an accurate test for marijuana impairment.<\/p>\n

He argued that current policy has a widespread impact, leading some people to avoid the profession knowing the drug testing requirements currently in place. But he put most of his focus on how the policy unfairly penalizes current drivers for using cannabis, which is legal in many states, and for the impact it has on the economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile no one wants impaired drivers on the road, existing tests can\u2019t detect impairment \u2013 only past use,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThe Department of Transportation\u2019s current policies towards these drivers contributes to supply chain backlogs and delays in critical deliveries across the American economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other Complaints About Marijuana Testing for Truck Drivers\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Blumenauer is not alone in his criticism of current federal policy. Others have noted the odd strategy of taking truck drivers off the road for failing a flawed test in the middle of a national supply chain emergency that\u2019s led to a shortage of many items, including baby formula.<\/p>\n

It also has led to difficult situations for drivers. For example, a medical marijuana<\/a> patient who uses prescribed cannabis to help with sleep or chronic pain can lose their job even though what they are doing is perfectly legal and they only use cannabis during their off hours.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just a medical marijuana issue. Politico reported<\/a> on one Alabama trucking company that complained to the DOT, \u201cDrivers who are off duty or even on vacation for a week can\u2019t enjoy marijuana in a legal state.\u201d<\/p>\n

The federal government\u2019s \u201czero tolerance policy\u201d also has impacted those who use hemp derivatives such as CBD oil<\/a> that has no psychoactive properties (it doesn\u2019t get you high), Politico reported.<\/p>\n

Blumenauer told Buttigieg that the time for change is now. \u201cAs the United States continues to confront the supply chain crisis, your department should lead the effort to research more reliable cannabis test options and develop new tools that avoid sweeping up innocent drivers while also keeping our roads safe from those who are truly impaired,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon, said disqualifying thousands of drivers because of cannabis use is contributing to supply chain issues.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[437,821,313,1283,1282],"yoast_head":"\nCongressman Wants Changes in Marijuana Testing of Truck Drivers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Rep. 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