WASHINGTON — Following President Trump signing an executive order that reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule III substance, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) is speaking out.
“While we do not hold a formal position on marijuana legalization or deregulation, we are concerned about the safety risks of rescheduling marijuana without explicit safeguards to preserve the testing authority and technical requirements that apply to DOT-regulated, safety-sensitive workers,” said Brenna Lyles, vice president of safety policy. “A safe driver is a qualified driver. And a qualified driver is drug- and alcohol-free. Motor carriers must retain reliable, enforceable tools to ensure they are not putting unqualified drivers behind the wheel.”
Trump’s Reclassification of Marijuana
On Dec. 18, President Trump signed an Executive Order reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III substance. It does not make marijuana legal under federal law, nor does it represent a final decision. Any proposed changes would still need approval from federal regulators.
However, the move could boost profitability in the marijuana industry, open the door to expanded research on medical applications, and bring federal policy closer to the more permissive stance already adopted by many states.
Clear Testing Measures Needed
“Without clear measures to ensure DOT’s drug- and alcohol-testing program retains—and is equipped to execute—marijuana testing authority, such a federal policy shift could have serious consequences for highway safety and the integrity of the national transportation network,” Lyles said. “This risk is exacerbated by the fact that there is currently no proven, widely accepted standard to determine marijuana impairment at roadside or before a driver begins operating a vehicle, making it far more difficult to prevent impaired driving.”
According to Lyles, the stakes are not theoretical. Marijuana accounts for nearly 60 percent of all positive drug tests among commercial drivers subject to DOT testing requirements.
Commitment to Highway Safety
“We appreciate the Department of Transportation’s ongoing commitment to highway safety and its work to strengthen driver qualification and enforcement standards,” Lyles said. We urge DOT to proactively coordinate with HHS, DOJ, and Congress to ensure that any federal policy shift preserves a holistic approach to safety, one that maintains the authority, tools, and technical capacity necessary to keep impaired and unqualified drivers off our roads.”
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.
