Less False Positives, More Confidence: Transportation Dept.'s New Marijuana Testing Policies

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has made a significant amendment to its drug testing policy for federally regulated transit workers.

In a move that could have wide-ranging implications, the department will now allow for oral saliva drug testing as an alternative to urine-based tests for those who use marijuana off the job.

What’s It About?

As first reported by Marijuana Moment, the DOT finalized the oral saliva testing rule, which will take effect on June 1, to reduce false positives resulting from THC metabolites showing up in urine tests weeks or months after consumption.

Oral testing for THC could also prevent casual cannabis users from being penalized for consuming weeks prior to a urine test. DOT's finalized rule sets a 4 nanogram per milliliter screening test cutoff for THC, which is based on research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Reducing False Positives & Preventing Penalization 

While some have urged the DOT to stop testing drivers for cannabis altogether, the agency remains committed to ensuring public safety, pointing out that DOT-regulated testing began in 1988 due to marijuana-related accidents in the 1980s, per the federal agency.

The new policy also directs medical examiners to advise commercial drivers who use CBD products that they are doing so "at their own risk."

With rising costs and worker shortages in the transportation sector, some experts have argued that federal marijuana criminalization and resulting drug testing mandates are contributing to these issues.

“Allowing employers to use oral fluid testing may improve the effectiveness of drug testing,” DOT said. “Oral fluid testing can detect the recent use of some drugs, including marijuana and cocaine, while urine drug testing has a longer window of detection.”

With the agency's recent move, the risk of being penalized at work for off-duty consumption of medicinal marijuana products is expected to significantly decrease. This could result in a surge of interest in such products, including those offered by Flora Growth Corp. FLGC and other similar companies.

As workplace testing rules continue to evolve alongside new scientific information, the use of medicinal marijuana could become more widespread.

Photo: Courtesy Of Pascal Meier On Unsplash