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

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. Audience appropriate materials pertaining to marijuana should be prepared for current and prospective employees. This should include materials for employers who administer relevant policies and procedures and employees who are subject to them. The materials should include links to relevant federal agencies to facilitate access to up-to-date information, in particular, regarding federal law. Testing methods: The differences between currently available testing methods for marijuana and federally required methods should be presented along with the pros and cons of each method. Information on marijuana testing methods in development (e.g., testing for impairment) or in private sector use and their expected timeline for approval for federal and USDOT testing should also be addressed. Employment disciplinary practices: A broad range of employment disciplinary practices, associated with marijuana use, should be presented, and compared. These include practices currently in use by public transportation agencies and other organizations with USDOT covered safety-sensitive employees. The research should address the efficacy, efficiency, and challenges of each approach. The research must include practices from public transportation agencies serving urban areas of all sizes and rural communities. Legal analysis of marijuana rescheduling: Considering the proposed rule change, an analysis is needed that addresses the possible implications on USDOT drug testing regulations if marijuana is rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III of the CSA.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5619
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $125000
• 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

• Start Date: 20241215
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• 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