The availability­–and use–of cannabis and cannabis-derived products has become more ubiquitous than poppy seed muffins, leading to a lot of uncertainties for businesses and their employees. And while positive drug screen results after eating the aforementioned muffin was a bit more urban myth than real concern, testing positive for marijuana after using cannabis-derived products ha... Read More

One of the constant hurdles facing states as they legalize marijuana is the fact that there is no test that can show whether someone is, or is not, impaired by the drug. That means impaired drivers could be on the road, and police have no way to prove they are under the influence.

If you’ve been drinking, a blood alcohol test or a breathalyzer can determine if you are intoxicated, and how sev... Read More

There have been many significant regulatory changes at the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as issues at the state level that affect employers of workers who are subject to DOT requirements.

In 2015, the most recent year for which the DOT is reporting, the DOT assessed fines or settled Notices of Claim totaling approximately $33.8 million. In 2014, the total was approximately $36.3 millio... Read More

The CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will be operational on January 6, 2020. The clearinghouse will be a database of positive drug and alcohol test results for Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders that employers will be required to check prior to putting a new employee to work.  Employers will also be required to annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently emplo... Read More

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sent the proposed final rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review on Tuesday, June 11. This hair-test rule would establish the scientific and technical guidelines for the inclusion of hair specimens in the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs and establishes standards f... Read More

With more and more states allowing for either medicinal and recreational marijuana sales, many fleets are beginning to show concern about whether or not they need to keep a closer eye on their drivers. No matter the controlled or uncontrolled substance a person imbibes, the effects on their driving ability and the safety of those around them on the highway is a cause for concern that needs to... Read More

Update on Drug Testing

More Workers Test Positive for Drug Use

The number of American workers testing positive for drug use is at its highest rate in more than a decade. Every year Quest Diagnostics publishes a report of drug use trends. This year’s report found that the national positivity rate held steady from 2016 to 2017 at 4.2% of the workforce. Cocaine positivity rates increased for the ... Read More

There have been many significant regulatory changes at the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as issues at the State level that affect employers of workers who are subject to DOT requirements. I would be willing to guess that over 95% of the motor carriers do not have their Company policies up to snuff and therefore are not in compliance.

In 2015, the most recent year for which the DOT is r... Read More

For the first time, beginning Jan 1, truck drivers being administered random pre-employment and post-accident drug tests will be screened for four additional synthetic opioids, the highly addictive drugs that likely will require medical experts to consider prescriptions that balance pain mitigation with safety performance.

While indications are that most of the private drug-testing labs are ready t... Read More