A new report until The US Department of Transportation (DOT) showed that in 2022 approximately 41,000 truck drivers would test positive for cannabisa 32% increase over 2021.

“Professional drivers must not use marijuana, even for medical reasons” Eric Muellera reporter covering the DOT for transportation issues, told WTOPF. Drivers who test positive for marijuana use during a drug test should meet with their doctor and develop a treatment plan that includes regular testing.

However, “only 46,000 have completed the process and will be eligible to drive again from January 4th. Per the report.

The National Road Safety Committee (NTSB) recently recommended that the DOT “add a potential driver impairment warning to cannabis products, improve state drug-impaired driving laws, and standardize technology tests to detect drug use,” Miller said.

NTSB Board Member Tom Chapman commented, “We’ve long known about the devastating effects of drinking and driving, but this [NTSB] Report shows that interference with other drugs, in particular cannabisis a growing problem that needs to be addressed.”

A “truck shortage crisis”

“The Department of Transportation’s reliance on this outdated technology and these discriminatory policies does not reflect reality and directly contributes to the truck shortage crisis.” called Paul Armentano, Associate Director of NORML pointed to federal law requiring truck drivers to take marijuana urinalysis tests.

“Unsuspected marijuana testing in the workplace is not now, never was, an evidence-based policy. Rather, this discriminatory practice is a holdover from the 1980s “War on Drugs” zeitgeist. But the times have changed; Attitudes have changed, and in many places marijuana laws have changed. It’s time for the workplace…