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Transportation Groups Warn Feds Of Marijuana Rescheduling’s ‘Consequences’ For Drug Testing Of Truck Drivers And Pilots

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2 weeks ago

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A coalition of transportation and safety organizations said they have “serious safety concerns” about the Trump administration’s move to federally regulate marijuana.

Led by the American Trucking Association, the groups sent a letter to federal officials Monday asking them to take steps to ensure truck drivers, pilots, transit operators and other safety-sensitive workers continue to be tested for cannabis.

“If employers do not take the necessary steps to preserve the ability of security-sensitive transportation workers to test for marijuana, this change could have significant consequences for the safety of passengers and the entire transportation industry,” wrote Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terrance Cole, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, and Transportation Secretary J.

The organizations said they understand that federal officials are being “urgently” reorganized under an executive order from President Donald Trump, that they are “deeply concerned that the current process does not adequately take into account agencies responsible for transportation safety or protecting the traveling public” and that they want the agencies to “work together.” ongoing cannabis redistricting hearings and rulemaking process to address these concerns.

In May, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued new guidelines saying just that Truck drivers, airline pilots and other safety-sensitive workers still cannot use medical marijuana without penalty despite the Trump administration’s move to reschedule.

“Marijuana use is incompatible with safety-sensitive functions,” the department said.

Medical review officers (MROs) who receive drug test results indicating cannabis use cannot rule them out as negative for illegal substance use, even if an employee claims it was a result of state-licensed medical marijuana.

“Currently, there is no way for an MRO to verify that a laboratory-confirmed marijuana drug test result is positive when an employee claims the positive was caused by a state-licensed marijuana product,” the DOT said, explaining that after the reprogramming, medical marijuana dispensed under state law “does not” constitute a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The transportation groups said in the new letter that the DOT’s drug-testing program “is in accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs and HHS-certified laboratories.”

“While DOT has expressed its intention to continue testing marijuana, a commitment we greatly appreciate, it is unclear whether DOT will retain its ability to rely on HHS procedures and certifications after the rescheduling,” they wrote. “Without this alignment, DOT may retain the authority to conduct testing, but lack the scientific and procedural infrastructure to do so.”

“Practically, this would mean that truck and bus drivers, pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, air mechanics, railroad workers, dispatchers and signal workers, transit operators and pipeline workers could continue to perform high-risk safety roles without a reliable means of verifying that they are not actively using marijuana. It relies on controlled substance testing to identify end use and prevent potentially impaired individuals from fulfilling their safety-related obligations. While the planning could create legal or regulatory loopholes, the regulated employer-based drug testing agency warned that the final rules should not jeopardize marijuana testing for safety-sensitive transportation workers.”

“Regardless of the broader policy goals of the review, the federal government should not move forward to preserve transportation drug testing programs and mitigate the risks of increased and unchecked deterioration of our roads, railroads, public transportation systems, pipelines, airspace, and maritime corridors,” the letter says.

The organizations specifically ask federal officials to:

  • Support long-term marijuana testing for all safety-sensitive transportation workers;
  • Confirm the authority of DOT-regulated employers to perform such tests;
  • Ensure HHS laboratory certification and testing guidelines remain available and aligned with DOT’s safety mission; and
  • Establish a coordinated federal strategy to address the transportation security implications of rescheduling.

“The public and the workers who keep our transportation system running safely deserve a process that ensures these safeguards are firmly in place before any final action is taken,” he said. the letter he says

Earlier this month, the House Appropriations Committee approved a provision to allow federal officials to continue requiring government employees and security-sensitive employees, such as truck drivers and airline pilots must be drug tested for marijuana, “regardless of any future change in legal status or schedule.”

This was followed by a press conference organized by prohibitionist groups and a drug-testing industry association, where both Republican lawmakers joined the proclamation. “Cut” to marijuana rescheduling by asserting that safety-sensitive transportation workers can still be punished for testing positive for THC.

Legislators and abolitionist activists argued that moving marijuana to Schedule III would lead to a 1986 executive order signed by President Ronald Reagan defining illegal drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in relation to the use of cannabis by truck drivers and other airline employees.

Last October, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested that President Donald Trump was “putting pressure” on rescheduling cannabis.arguing that marijuana is “truly addictive” and that policy reform on the issue sends a “dangerous” message.

“At a time when the culture is encouraging and celebrating the use of marijuana, we’re not talking about risk,” Duffy said.

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Will the top World Cup expert in the fruit, vegetable, and horticulture sector come from Canada, the U.S. or Belgium?

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14 hours ago

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July 20, 2026

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FreshPublishers 2026 World Cup Group Stage






The World Cup is coming to an end, with the third-place play-off between France and England on Saturday, and the final between Spain and Argentina the following day. It won’t be long until the grand winner of FreshPublishers’ first World Cup pool is revealed.

© Fresh Publishers

As previously reported, Slim Kooli from Courchesne Laros is the favorite to win the €1,000 prize. He has secured a comfortable lead over Nol Batist of North American Interstate Greenhouse Company, while buyer Bjorn Van Ryckeghem of Deprez Construct is currently in third place.

1 Sim School Spain 1–0 2–1 737 9716
2 Nol Batist France 2–1 1–1 674 9433
3 Bjorn Van Ryckeghem France 2–2 3–1 674 9264
4 Christian Anton Smedshaug England 1–2 1–2 659 9134
5 Perry Springintveld Spain 1–1 2–1 647 9105
6 Willem Tijssen Spain 2–0 2–1 710 9098
7 Hans Borsboom Spain 2–1 2–1 528 9058
8 Bart Triemstra Spain 2–1 2–1 737 9052
9 Youness Bensaid Spain 2–1 1–1 722 8954
10 Vijay Dijkstra Portugal 2–0 2–1 382 8953

However, there have been some surprises during the tournament, and bonus points must be added, so we will keep the suspense a little longer. On Monday we will find out who is the main World Cup announcer in the international fruit, vegetable and horticulture sector…



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States Move To Let First Responders Use Marijuana And Psychedelics To Treat PTSD

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14 hours ago

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July 20, 2026

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“When you’re in the fire service, or in any of the first response industries, or especially in the military, things are going to accumulate over time, and what happens is you see a lot of things, crazy things that at least seem normal.”

By Amanda Watford, Stateline

This year more states have looked beyond traditional counseling and medication to help first responders deal with traumatic stress.

Firefighters, police, and emergency medical personnel routinely experience fatal accidents, violent crimes, and other traumatic events that can leave lasting psychological scars.

“When you’re in the fire service, or the first response industry, or especially the military, things just pile up over time, and what happens is you see a lot of things, crazy things that at least seem normal,” said Jason Cerrano, a retired firefighter and paramedic with more than 20 years of experience in Missouri. Cerrano is now director of research and commercial development at IDEX Fire & Safety.

In Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law last month a measure that will create the Post-Traumatic Injuries Commission to review requests from first responders to help cover treatment costs.

Maryland took a different approach this year, enacting a law protecting firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other rescue workers. employment discrimination for the illegal use of medical marijuana outside of work.

The new law, which will take effect in October, applies to medical cannabis patients who test positive for cannabis metabolites but are impaired while working.

Several other states are exploring emerging therapies.

A new Connecticut law expands a pilot program at Yale University studying psilocybin-assisted therapy Allowing any state resident 18 years of age or older to participate, provided they meet clinical eligibility criteria established by the Yale University Institutional Review Board. Previously, the pilot program was limited to veterans, retired first responders and frontline healthcare workers.

Missouri lawmakers advanced a bill allowing veterans and first responders to receive the psychedelics psilocybin and ibogaine in approved research studies. Under medical supervision for PTSD and other mental health conditions. The legislative session adjourned in May before lawmakers sent a bill to the governor.

This story was first published by Stateline.

Image courtesy of Kristie Gianopulos.

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Standard Wellness expands into Cleveland with dispensary acquisition

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2 days ago

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July 19, 2026

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Standard Wellness has entered into an agreement with License in the Flats, LLC to enter into definitive agreements to acquire a dispensary license in the Flats following the required regulatory review period. At the end of that period, the company and License in the Flats intend to execute those agreements and then continue to develop the dispensary into a retail location branded The Forest Cleveland.

Following regulatory approval of the change of ownership by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, the new dispensary will become the Company’s first retail location in the city of Cleveland, where the Company is headquartered.

Additionally, the Company announced the divestiture of The Forest Sandusky and The Forest Springfield, its Ohio dispensaries, to Greenlight, again subject to pending regulatory approvals.

“We are excited to expand our presence in the city of Cleveland and serve guests in our hometown,” said Kate Ols, Vice President of Retail for Standard Wellness. “As our business continues to grow, we are focused on building a retail network that will best position us to serve our communities for the long term. At the same time, we are proud of the role our Sandusky and Springfield dispensaries have played in Ohio’s cannabis history, and we are confident that those communities will continue to grow under Greenlight’s leadership.”

Standard Wellness and Greenlight are working closely together to support a smooth transition for staff and guests throughout the transfer process. As established operators in Ohio and Missouri, the companies share a commitment to strengthening the regulated cannabis industry and serving the communities in which they operate.

The new dispensary is expected to serve both local residents and visitors while completing the Company’s Northeast Ohio footprint.

Under Ohio law, a cannabis operator cannot hold more than eight dispensary licenses statewide. The acquisition of the Cleveland license and divestiture of The Forest Sandusky and The Forest Springfield allows Standard Wellness to continue to meet Ohio’s property limits while strategically repositioning its Ohio retail footprint and focusing investments in key markets.

Forest Sandusky and Forest Springfield have played significant roles in the evolution of Ohio’s cannabis industry. Sandusky was the site of the state’s first legal cannabis sale in January 2019, and Springfield became the first part of Ohio’s cannabis industry merger and acquisition transaction when Standard Wellness purchased Pure Ohio Wellness’ dispensary.

For more information:
Standard Wellness Holdings
standardwellness.com/

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