NDASA Calls for Federal Action to Protect Transportation Safety Amid Marijuana Policy Shifts

Source: National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association

On May 21, NDASA hosted a press conference in Washington, D.C., calling for immediate federal action to safeguard transportation safety. The event brought together members of Congress, medical professionals, leaders in the drug and alcohol testing industry, policy experts, and individuals personally impacted by marijuana impairment in public transportation. Together, they urged lawmakers to adopt a critical safety carve-out that would preserve marijuana testing requirements for safety-sensitive transportation employees.

Speakers warned that, without this essential protection, school bus drivers, airline pilots, train engineers, and commercial truck drivers could soon be permitted to operate on our roads, in our skies, and on our railways while under the influence of marijuana. The press conference also served as a powerful reminder of the public safety risks associated with impaired transportation workers.

NDASA extends its sincere thanks to Texas Rep. Pete Sessions, Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. and, Heidi Morrison — a survivor of the 1987 train collision that claimed 14 lives and ultimately led to mandatory drug testing for safety-sensitive transportation employees after investigators discovered the engineer had been using cannabis — as well as Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) to Marijuana and NDASA members for standing with us in Washington in support of this critical cause.

By: National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association