WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations led a group of 19 transportation and safety organizations in sending a letter to multiple federal agencies raising serious concerns surrounding the proposal to reschedule marijuana.
The coalition—representing trucking, aviation, rail, pipeline and other critical transportation sectors—warned that the proposed shift of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act could have unintended consequences for transportation safety if key safeguards are not preserved. Marijuana remains one of the most frequently detected drugs in transportation testing programs.
As the rulemaking process moves forward, the letter urged the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Transportation to work together to mitigate potential drug testing disruptions.
“Although DOT has expressed its intent to continue testing for marijuana, a commitment we deeply appreciate, it is unclear whether DOT will retain the ability to rely on HHS procedures and certifications following the rescheduling,” the coalition said. “Without that alignment, DOT may maintain the authority to test but lack the scientific and procedural infrastructure to do so.”
Compliance Uncertainty
Rescheduling could create legal or regulatory gaps that weaken the existing drug testing framework. Absent clear guidance, employers would face immediate compliance uncertainty. The letter warned of significant real-world consequences if these issues are not addressed.
“Practically, this would mean truck and bus drivers, pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, air mechanics, rail operating personnel, dispatchers and signal personnel, transit operators and pipeline workers could continue performing safety-critical, high-risk duties without any reliable means of confirming they are not actively using marijuana,” the coalition said.
Recommended Actions
The coalition urged federal agencies to take the following specific, coordinated actions:
- Safeguard marijuana testing for all safety sensitive transportation workers over the long term.
- Affirm the authority of DOT regulated employers to conduct such testing.
- Ensure HHS laboratory certification and testing guidelines remain available and aligned with DOT’s safety mission.
- Establish a coordinated federal strategy to address the transportation safety implications of rescheduling.
“The traveling public and the workers who keep our transportation system functioning safely deserve a process that ensures these safeguards remain firmly in place before any final action is taken,” the coalition said.
The letter was spearheaded by ATA and signed by a wide range of organizations across the transportation and safety communities, including:
- Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety.
- Airlines for America.
- Alliance for Chemical Distribution.
- American Pyrotechnics Association.
- American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
- Association of American Railroads.
- Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways.
- Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
- Gases and Welding Distributors Association.
- Institute for Safer Trucking.
- Institute of Makers of Explosives.
- Intermodal Association of North America.
- National Industrial Transportation League.
- National Private Truck Council.
- National Tank Truck Carriers.
- Parents Against Tired Truckers.
- Truck Safety Coalition.
- Truckload Carriers Association.
Click here to read the letter in full.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
