Medical marijuana rescheduling is advancing under Trump, but the Department of Transportation says truck drivers still face zero tolerance cannabis rules.
While the industry and patients see it as a breakthrough, the DOT bucks the President about cannabis. As the federal government slowly moves toward recognizing medical marijuana in a new way, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is making one thing crystal clear: truck drivers and other safety-sensitive transportation workers still cannot use cannabis — even if it is medically prescribed.
The issue has become a growing point of frustration for many commercial drivers, veterans and chronic pain sufferers who argue cannabis could offer relief without the dangers tied to opioids or heavy prescription medications. Yet despite major changes under the Trump administration involving marijuana rescheduling, the Department of Transportation says its rules are not changing anytime soon.
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In late 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to speed up the process of moving marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III under federal law. The administration argued the move would expand medical research and improve patient access to cannabis-based treatments. Federal officials pointed to evidence supporting marijuana’s potential use for pain management, chemotherapy-related nausea and other conditions.
Then in April 2026, the Department of Justice officially reclassified FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana products into Schedule III, marking one of the biggest federal cannabis policy changes in decades.
But while the Trump administration pushed toward medical marijuana reform, the Department of Transportation quickly responded with a hardline stance.
In a formal notice issued by the DOT, the agency stated transportation employees in safety-sensitive jobs — including truck drivers, pilots, train engineers and pipeline operators — remain prohibited from using marijuana. The agency emphasized marijuana testing requirements and federal workplace rules remain fully in effect.
The message was blunt: no marijuana means no marijuana.
The position has sparked criticism from some drivers and cannabis advocates who believe medical marijuana could actually improve safety in certain situations. Long-haul truck drivers often struggle with chronic pain, sleep issues, anxiety and stress after spending long stretches on the road. Some believe regulated medical cannabis could help reduce dependence on prescription painkillers, muscle relaxers and even alcohol.
Supporters also argue current marijuana testing policies are outdated because standard drug tests detect cannabis metabolites long after impairment has ended. Unlike alcohol breath tests, current marijuana testing does not reliably measure real-time impairment. Critics say drivers can fail a test days or even weeks after legal off-duty cannabis use in states where medical marijuana is permitted.
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Still, the DOT insists public safety comes first. The agency says it will continue enforcing federal testing requirements regardless of state marijuana laws or ongoing federal rescheduling efforts.
For trucking companies, the situation remains complicated. Cannabis laws continue evolving across the country, but federal transportation regulations override state rules for commercial drivers. Even in states where medical marijuana is legal, CDL holders remain subject to federal drug testing policies.
The divide highlights the growing tension between America’s changing cannabis laws and federal transportation safety rules. While the Trump administration has opened the door wider for medical marijuana research and access, the Department of Transportation appears determined to keep the door firmly shut for the nation’s truck drivers and transportation workers.
