Quick-Response Research on Long-Term Strategic Issues. Task 48. Marijuana Testing Regulations and Employer Policies: Impacts on Public Transportation Employment

Reflecting changes in societal attitudes, 24 states, three territories, and Washington, DC, have legalized the recreational use of cannabis, and while there are variations in state laws regarding its use for medical purposes, 38 states have legalized medical marijuana. Changes in marijuana use in the United States affect the public transportation industry regarding the recruitment, retention, training, and disciplinary practices for employees in safety-sensitive positions, such as passenger vehicle operators. Public transportation agencies indicate increased positive test results for marijuana use by prospective employees and by employees who are tested following vehicle incidents. Research into the workforce shortages faced by the transit industry has identified drug testing as a barrier to hiring and retaining transit workers, especially vehicle operators (American Public Transportation Association, 2022). The objective of this project is to provide clear, accurate, and current information related to the use of marijuana by current and prospective employees in safety-sensitive positions at public transportation agencies in the United States. The deliverables should dispel misinformation and help public transportation agencies address challenges in recruiting, disciplining, and retaining safety-sensitive employees. The final deliverable(s) should address: educational materials, testing methods, employment disciplinary practices, legal analysis of marijuana rescheduling.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5619

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $125,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project J-11, Task 48

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Schwager, Dianne

• Performing Organizations:

  Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles

  Los Angeles, CA  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Cooper, Ziva

• Start Date: 20250303
• Expected Completion Date: 20260903
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Drug tests; Employees; Marijuana; Public transit
• Subject Areas: Policy; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01902060
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project J-11, Task 48
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Dec 13 2023 12:40PM