Missouri Truck Accident Blog

Department of Transportation Clarifies Rules on “Medical Marijuana” Use by Truck Drivers

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FCMSA) released a statement announcing its position on the use of state-law-approved medical marijuana by truck drivers. The FMCSA will not include “medical marijuana” use as an exception to its rules prohibiting drug use by truck drivers.

Currently, truck drivers are required by federal regulation to submit to the Department of Transportation’s regulated drug testing program. The program is intended to ensure that truck drivers are not operating under the influence of any controlled substances, which endangers both the driver and any other motorists sharing the road.

Federally-mandated drug tests of truck drivers are reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO), who is responsible for resolving any discrepancies in the report. The FCMSA’s regulations prohibit MROs from certifying a drug test result as “negative” based on information that the driver’s physician prescribed medical marijuana. Drug tests with a “positive” result for marijuana must be read as a positive drug test result by federal authorities even if the marijuana was prescribed by a physician under a state law.

Federal drug-testing requirements for truck drivers are intended to keep the country’s roadways as safe as possible. However, tractor trailer accidents in St. Louis still claim the lives of motorists every year, and not all truck drivers stick to the rules. If you or a loved one has been injured by the drug use or other improper behavior of a truck driver, you have certain legal rights. Contact an experienced Missouri DUI truck crash attorney at Page Law today. Our legal team will examine the details of your case and help you protect your legal rights while holding any negligent parties accountable for their actions. Call Page Law at (314) 322-8515 today for a free and confidential evaluation.